My 12 YO is very good at studies, art and craft. However when it comes to presentation and communication skills, he fumbles and gets nervous on the stage or whenever he has to present something in front of an audience. For example, he is unable to perform well in skits, story narration and tends to forget whatever he has learned or rehearsed. It is affecting his confidence. Is this normal? How can I help him?

Ans: Hi!! First of all congratulations ,let's celebrate the fact that your son is good at studies as well as art and crafts! You'll be shocked to know that a vast majority of people in the world rank public speaking as their number one fear, your son is just 12 yrs old ,a little nervous while presenting and communicating in front of others! First and foremost, all this is normal, you have to deal it with sensitivity and help him address and overcome this fear and anxiety, it will take time though, do some research or hire a communication skills expert/public speaking expert to help him become confident in this area of his life! Having helped ppl become good public speakers and good communicators I know it can taught and can be learned. However pls go slow,(sometimes it can take months of practice) make him learn 5 lines and narrate it to you. Once he gains confidence and narrates this flawlessly, then increase his difficulty level. You have said that he fumbles and gets nervous in front of an audience, till he gains his confidence in this aspect of his life give a break to performances to large gatherings. Let him perform within the family first, then to an extended( but encouraging) family. then to larger group of friends and family and then maybe after a yr or so he can perform in front of a large audience. Ensure the script you give him is well woven together and has words and sentences which he can understand, this way it is easy for him to recall and narrate. Also remember every interaction is like a public speaking exercise, so whenever he is narrating something, let him talk fearlessly, don't interrupt, don't correct while he is talking. If he is good at studies then definitely he has a good memory and is intelligent . Fumbling and forgetting lines while performing is due to anxiety. Help him to relax before a performance, breathing exercises and visualization will help. He will require lots of love, encouragement , support in order to regain his confidence first and then become good at public speaking. Let him take his time, show a lot of patience, and with an encouraging parent like you he can be a good public speaker. But if it doesn't work out, it's ok, give a break to it. Start focusing on his strengths, give him lot of positive strokes, let him gain his confidence back and maybe you can give it a shot few months down the line. Wishing you both the very best and HAPPY PARENTING!! Have fun with your child.....let public speaking be a fun activity too...