Teaching Youth Communication Skills

1. Teaching Youth Communication Skills Claudia Mincemoyer, Ph.D. 4-H Curriculum Specialist March 2003 Statewide In-Service

2. The Communication Process “ a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs or information”

3. “ . . .through a common system of symbols, signs or information” • The method or format chosen to share the message • Make an anti-smoking speech at 4-H teen council meeting

4. With any communication project, youth should . . . • Clearly define their message (try to keep it to one key idea) • Carefully identify their target audience. (be very specific) • Select the methods, approaches and formats that will work best for the target group. • Provide feedback to youth on how they did

5. Delivering a Speech-voice • Project voice • Use a conversational tone with familiar words • Speak at a comfortable pace • Enunciate (pronounce clearly) • Don’t slur words

6. Delivering a Speech-eye contact • Maintain eye contact with audience • Memorize opening and closing statements • Try not to stare at a fixed object • Look for friendly faces to make eye contact

7. Delivering a Speech-gestures and expressions • Use natural gestures • Smile!

8. Delivering a Speech-posture • Put notes on podium if available, but don’t lean on it • If walking while speaking, maintain good posture, hold notes at waist • Avoid pacing

9. Reducing Stage Nerves • Be prepared • Speak about things you know well or that interest you • Identify anxiety symptoms. Learn to prepare and overcome them • Chat with your audience before speaking to feel comfortable • Eat light and avoid carbonated beverages • Practice • Learn a quick stress-reducing routine for relaxing your neck, shoulder and facial muscles • Visualize yourself succeeding!

10. Writing for Public Speaking • Choose a comfortable topic • Consider the audience-target the message • Develop an outline-introduction, discussion and conclusion • Use the introduction to grab attention • Be logical and thorough • Get personal-use personal examples and stories • Summarize speech

11. Tips for Public Speaking • Tell them what you’re going to say in the Introduction. • In the Body, say what you want to say. • In the Conclusion, tell the audience what you said! • Follow your notes or an outline • Avoid memorizing

12. Tips for Effective Demonstrations • Picking a topic • Pick a well-defined skill or activity that can be demonstrated in a short period of time • Select a topic that can be easily broken down into illustrated steps • Think about how much the audience will already know about a topic

13. Tips for Effective Demonstrations (cont.) • What is your purpose? • To educate? • To inform? • To persuade?

14. Tips for Effective Demonstrations (cont.) • A well organized speech has three parts: • Introduction-grab the audience’s attention • Body-present the step-by-step procedure, explaining key points as you go • Conclusion-re-state the purpose of the demonstration and give a brief summary

15. Tips for Effective Presentations-delivery • Be enthusiastic • Dress for the part • Briefly introduce yourself • Know your subject and explain what you’re doing as you do it. Briefly explain if something goes wrong • Be sure your audience can see what you’re doing • Speak clearly • Stay within your allotted time • End by showing your finished product and answer questions

16. Providing Feedback • Set a positive tone. Create a safe, caring, positive learning environment. • Sandwich approach-focus initial comments on what the speaker did well. Then, discuss areas where improvement is needed. End with a positive observation.