Paves

Abstract

Public speaking can be the source of significant anxiety for children and for adults. Many adults can relate to the sweaty palms, rapid heartbeat, dry-cotton mouth, shaky knees, and nervous stomach associated with public speaking. Surveys of adult fears have ranked public speaking among the most feared experiences, in some instances above death, heights, and flying (Wallechinsky, Wallace, & Wallace, 1978). Public speaking can also be problematic for children. "Having to talk in front of my class" is an item in the school/ social stress fears components of the American Fear Survey Schedule for Children (Burnham, 2005; see boxes, "What Does the Literature Say About Fear of Public Speaking?" and "What Does the Literature Say About Public Speaking and Students With Educational Risk Indicators and Disabilities?").