As a pastor and public speaker, I wanted my daughter Zoey to begin developing confidence in speaking while she was still young. After practicing simple speeches together and seeing her slowly find her voice, I created Kids Speak Confidently to help other children do the same.
Through fun activities, practical coaching, and lots of encouragement, kids learn to organize their ideas, speak clearly, and grow more confident every time they stand up to speak.
Kids Speak Confidently
Kids Public Speaking Course
(Cameron Community Centre at Lougheed Mall)
Help your child become more comfortable speaking in front of others, organize ideas clearly, and communicate with greater confidence. This six-week group course is designed for elementary-aged children, with a recommended range of Grades 2–6.
Every session is participatory: children will practice speaking, receive encouragement and coaching, and work on short speeches.
Class Content
Class #1: I Can Speak!
Overcoming fear and becoming comfortable speaking in front of others.Class #2: Building a Mini Speech
Learning how to organize ideas into a clear beginning, main points, and conclusion.Class #3: Speak So People Listen
Practicing eye contact, volume, enunciation, pacing, and other basic delivery skills.Class #4: Practice Makes Confidence
Applying confidence, message, and delivery skills in different speaking situations.Class #5: My Final Speech
Choosing a topic, developing ideas, receiving individual coaching, and preparing a final presentation.Class #6: Kids Speak Confidently Showcase
Final presentations for family and an opportunity to celebrate each child’s progress.
Although each week emphasizes a particular skill, children will continue practicing all major areas of public speaking in every session. Where possible, children will be grouped with others of a similar age and developmental level so that the activities, expectations, and coaching can be better matched to their abilities.
Dates & Time:
November 7-December 12, 2026 (Saturdays)
from 1:30pm-2:45 p.m.
Location:
Temporary Cameron Community Centre
(Small Meeting Room)
9855 Austin Ave #110, Burnaby
Within The City of Lougheed
Helping Young Speakers Grow in Confidence
Kaito was a Grade 4 student preparing for a district public speaking challenge. I had the opportunity to coach him as he developed his speech, practiced his delivery, and built greater confidence speaking in front of others.
After the competition, Kaito shared:
“I was a little nervous entering the district challenge, but with help from Mr. James, I felt more confident—and I won gold!”
His experience is a great example of what practice, encouragement, and focused coaching can help a young speaker accomplish.
Helping Kids Find
Their Voice
Over the past year, I’ve been helping my daughter Zoey practice public speaking through simple one-minute speeches at home.
Like many children, she can still get nervous—but with regular practice and encouragement, speaking in front of others has gradually become easier. Seeing that growth in my own daughter is one of the reasons I created Kids Speak Confidently: to give other children the same opportunity to practice, find their voice, and grow in confidence.
Here is one of Zoey’s short practice speeches.