How to Help Your Teen Overcome Stage Fright This Summer: 3 Easy Public Speaking Tips

Why It's So Important to Help Teen with Stage Fright

Let’s start with this uncomfortable question:

Remember the last time you had to speak in front of a group?

Unless you're someone who actively seeks out spotlights like they’re Wi-Fi signals, chances are… your heart rate spiked a little. Sweaty palms. Dry mouth. A sudden desire to teleport out of the room.

Now imagine being 14, trying to sound cool and confident while your voice cracks and your audience includes your entire extended family, and your mom's filming.

Stage fright is real. And it’s no joke.

If you want to help your teen with stage fright, the first step isn’t forcing them to “just get over it.” It’s compassion. Speaking publicly takes time, patience, and practice, and a safe space to try and fail.

At Frolific, it can take months for our students to build real confidence, but you can start laying that foundation at home this summer with small, playful moments that make public speaking feel less scary and more natural.

Try This Summer Family Speaking Challenge (Yes, It’s Actually Fun)

Step 1: Get your teen’s buy-in.

No one likes being forced into the spotlight. Let them know you’re starting a “family speaker series” over dinner, one short topic, once a week, just for fun.

Step 2: Lead by example.

Parents, you go first. Model what courage looks like. Flub your words. Laugh. Be a little awkward. Let your child see that confidence is built, not born.

Step 3: Rotate the spotlight.

Each week, a different family member takes the mic. Everyone gets a turn, adults, teens, tweens, kids.

Step 4: Pick a playful topic.

Keep it light and easy to riff on:

• “The most embarrassing thing that happened to me at school”

• “Why I’d be a terrible superhero”

• “My most irrational fear (and why I still believe it’s valid)”

  

  
  

3 Simple Public Speaking Tips for Teens to Practice at Home

Tip 1: Volume is Confidence

You could have the greatest speech since MLK… but if no one can hear it, it’s game over.

Encourage your teen to speak louder than they think they should. Loud = Confident. Even when they’re nervous.

It’s like chia seeds on a breakfast menu, easy to overlook, but surprisingly powerful.

Tip 2: Internalize, Don’t Memorize

We’re not trying to create mini politicians. We’re aiming for connection. Have your child jot down bullet points and practice until it flows naturally. No need to memorize, and definitely no cue cards at the table. The goal is to make it sound like a story, not a script.

When they internalize the message instead of memorizing it, they sound natural, confident, and authentic. It’s a simple but effective way to help your teen with stage fright long term.

Tip 3: Make Eye Contact With Everyone at the Table

Help your teen learn to scan the room, or the table, and make eye contact with everyone, even if just for a second. That one small move says, “I see you. I’m here with you.” And trust me, when an audience feels seen, they listen.

Coming up next:How Positive Body Language Can Supercharge Your Teen’s Presence While Speaking.

Until then, keep practicing. Keep laughing. And maybe, you take the mic first this week.

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