Some kids are like born performers, while others don’t feel comfortable going on stage. Nobody’s sure why some kids love it and other’s don’t, but it can be a traumatising experience for the kids who hate it. Often, kids who have stage fright will clam up on stage, and may even begin to cry. This isn’t nice for any parent to have to watch, so use these tips to help your child overcome stage fright once and for all:
Help Your Child to Practice
Practice makes perfect; we all know this. Although your child is probably being helped practice at school, practicing at home can be a huge help too. This way, they can be sure they won’t forget what they’re supposed to be doing half way through the performance.
Try to Understand Your Child’s Fears
Understanding your child’s fears is essential. You need to take them seriously, not tell them that they’re being silly or they’ll be fine. In their little heads, it’s all so scary. They clam up, feel anxious, sweat, and sometimes they may even vomit or have diarrhea. Many kids with stage fright believe the following things:
- They’ll mess up and the audience will laugh.
- They won’t be as good as some of the other kids.
- They’ll forget what they’re supposed to be doing/saying.
You need to try to understand the way your child is feeling as best as you can. You can then explain to them that other kids probably have these fears too. Tell them that they’ve worked hard practicing, and that you’ll be proud of them whatever happens. This should help to ease their fears.
Boost Their Confidence With Lessons
Sometimes, all kids need is a one to one lesson to boost their confidence and make them feel comfortable on stage. There’s something for all kids; whether they want to dance, or singing lessons in London. Having some one on one attention and professional training might be just the boost they need.
Tell Them to Think Positively
Explain to your child that thinking positively is always the key to a great outcome. Tell them not to let bad thoughts enter their head. Explain to them, that like magic, if they envision giving a perfect performance then they will!
Applaud Them at Home
Whatever they do at home, applaud them and tell them how great they’re doing. Their teacher will no doubt correct them when they need it, so ensure you’re just praising them.
Don’t Give Them Sweets or Fizzy Drinks Before the Performance
Giving kids sweets or fizzy drinks before a performance can make them jittery and nervous, which can make the frightened feeling much worse. Instead, give them nutritious food and water on the day. You could even practice some breathing exercises with them before they go on stage to calm them.
Try these techniques and your child should feel much calmer about performing in no time. Try to put yourself in their shoes and really understand them – the last thing they need is to be told they’re being silly!