How to Help Kids Cope With Stage Fear
Stage fear is something we have all battled with as kids. This is especially true for kids who are introverts. They get easily worked up and distressed about facing a crowd. However, this is not something that kids cannot overcome.
Parents and teachers should create a safe environment to encourage kids to work on their stage fear. They can teach kids meditation at early stages, which nurtures their overall progress and develops the right state of mind. As a result, they will learn to relax and stay calm.
Tips to help children overcome stage fear
What can parents and teachers do?
Turn anxiety to excitement
Generally, for the human body, fear and excitement are one. It is the brain that has to perceive it differently. So, what can you do to turn that into excitement? Cheerfully respond to your kids. Say “I’m excited to hear this”, and try other positive affirmations. While they try to understand your reply, children will eventually feel that their new journey will be fun and exciting.
Talking to your children will strengthen your bond with them. They can readily disclose their fears to you if they feel safe with you. Have an open mind to their problems and do not judge quickly. Hug them, make them feel relaxed and try to give your advice.
Create a positive feedback loop
Feedback is an essential part of a child’s development. While constructive criticism is significant, making them feel good and using positive affirmations can go a long way. Shower them with praise for their excellent behaviour in the beginning, tell them how their naughty actions will affect others, without criticising their personality. Never treat them harshly in public. All these will improve your child’s actions.
How can kids help themselves?
Children in middle school can experience stage fear too. To overcome this, they can perform a few leisurely activities by themselves to build a positive attitude. Here they are:
Self-talk can usually be harmful and hurt one’s personality. But journal-writing is also another form of self–talk. While journaling, you will get to put down your every thought into words. Go back to your writing and analyse it. When you do this, you might find where you have gone wrong.
The only way to master stage fear is through public speaking. The famous Irish dramatist George Bernard Shaw was once a beginner too, before he went on to become a great public speaker. Talk about your opinions in front of your family, friends and acquaintances, which will help you be bold when facing an audience.
You can observe how others carry themselves on stage through videos. Note down what they do differently to stay confident. Try to incorporate those during small performance opportunities.
When you have to give a speech to your teacher and friends, prepare in front of a mirror. Practice till you feel like you can deliver it with ease.
Our everyday staples can significantly affect how we behave and react. Have foods that make you happy and healthy. Avoid junk food whenever you can, sip water often and stay hydrated.
Stay positive and build confidence
Stay away from people who make you feel negative. Read motivational quotes before bedtime, and be inspired to do and feel good. While you get rid of all the negativity, you will glow with confidence.
Strategies to help children with anxiety
Children develop anxiety at various ages during their youth. It may be due to the new school or environment, exam season, social gatherings etc. Small children might form fears because of animals, insects, and heights, which gradually intensify as they grow. As a result, they will show signs of irritability, clinginess, bed wetting etc. In older children, one might notice a lack of confidence, increased angry outbursts, having trouble sleeping or eating. Make your children aware of their anxiety. Explain the physical effects of stress and reassure to them with politeness. If your children are small, distract them by going out often, give them books to read and show pleasing films.
These are some effective ways to end your child’s fear and anxiety. Apart from academics, extra-curricular activities are great to develop positively.
Extra-Curricular Activities at Amity Dubai
Amity believes that extra-curricular activities are a holistic means to enable a child’s growth. These activities make children confident and help them act instantly, another way to end stage fear. Sports and the Arts are a prominent part of our syllabus for children to increase their sportsmanship and fuel creativity. Sports activities drive children to cultivate leadership qualities and team spirit and shape a healthy lifestyle ahead of time. Through Arts, they can learn how to express themselves freely. Amity strives to strike a balance that will enhance a child’s personality to ensure that they have a great future!