BNM Professional Consulting Services, Inc.

When it comes to public speaking, it seems that people have one of two feelings about the topic. There are those who genuinely love public speaking, and then there are others who are terrified at the thought of speaking in front of a crowd. If you find it hard to enjoy public speaking, we are here to tell you that it is possible to grow to enjoy presenting to an audience. There are some tips and tricks that you can incorporate into your next presentation that will help you enjoy public speaking more than you ever thought possible. That being said, here’s how you can grow to love public speaking:

Talk About a Topic You Can Relate to

If you have the chance to choose your presentation topic, try and choose something that you can relate to and enjoy talking about. This will make speaking a lot easier as you’ll already have some insight into the topic and will feel confident going up on stage. The best part about choosing a topic that you can relate to is that you have the opportunity to educate your audience about something you already know a lot about.

Make it Fun

Giving a speech shouldn’t be stressful. It should be fun! We get it; the word “fun” may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of public speaking. But if you have to give a speech, you might as well have fun with it. Some ways you can make your next speech more fun include:

• Telling a story that relates to your speech
• Making your audience laugh
• Showing unique and exciting visuals
• Engaging your audience by asking them questions

Reward Yourself

You’ve gone up on stage and have successfully given your public speaking engagement - congratulations! Now, it’s time to reward yourself. When you know that you’ll have a public speaking engagement, schedule something fun or relaxing that you can do afterward. This way, you’ll have something to look forward to and can reward yourself for having the courage to deliver a great speech to your audience.

For help with your next speech, consider working with a Chicago speech coach. Executive speech coaching can help you prepare for that next big job interview, an upcoming presentation, or your overall communication skills as a rising leader. Contact us today to get started!

Believe it or not, numerous different types of speaking disorders can be found in children worldwide. It’s crucial that we, as parents, are aware of certain speaking disorders (along with the signs of these disorders) so that we can detect them in our children. The sooner you know about and can identify a speaking disorder in your child, the sooner you can work towards helping them manage or overcome their speaking disorder. With that said, here are 3 speaking disorders seen in children that you should know about, along with the signs that come along with them:

Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS): CAS occurs when a child knows what they want to say but has difficulty getting their speech muscles to properly move. The signal from a child’s mouth to their brain becomes disrupted, which makes it difficult for them to get their message across.

Signs of CAS

• Has a hard time getting words out
• Long pauses between words and sounds
• Has a hard time pronouncing words correctly
• Uses a limited number of sounds
• Has to say a word multiple times before pronouncing it correctly

Stuttering: Stuttering is a communication disorder that makes it difficult for someone to get their words out fluently. The flow of their communication may be choppy or disrupted.

Signs of Stuttering

• Repeats words or syllables
• Frequently uses filler words
• Takes long pauses between words or sentences
• Blinks their eyes quickly while speaking
• Tries to avoid speaking

Selective Mutism: Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder that occurs when someone is in an unfamiliar social situation. A person may feel uncomfortable being around people with who they are not too familiar, which can cause them not to be able to speak.

Signs of Selective Mutism

• Doesn’t speak during unfamiliar social situations
• Uses nonverbal communication over verbal communication
• Can speak easily while at home or around close family members or friends, but then has a hard time speaking around people they may not know as well
• Whispers instead of speaking at a proper volume
• Fidgets or gets stiff when they are expected to speak

If you find that your child is struggling with one of these speaking disorders or has difficulty developing their speech and language skills, it may be time to contact a Speech-Language Pathologist. Our team would be happy to answer any questions you may have and can help you decide if speech therapy is suitable for your child.

There are numerous common myths and misconceptions surrounding the topic of public speaking. This can be frustrating, especially if you’re new to the public speaking scene, as these myths can sometimes make it difficult to advance your public speaking skills. That’s why we wanted to debunk these myths and get to the truth so that you can go into your next public speaking gig with a clear mind and can have a better understanding of public speaking as a whole.

With that said, here are 3 of the most common public speaking myths:

Myth 1: Public Speaking Comes Naturally

One of the most common myths about public speaking is that it comes naturally to everyone. While it may come naturally to some people, getting comfortable with public speaking typically takes time and practice. You need to get in front of an audience and present numerous times to understand what works for you and what maybe doesn’t work so well. The more you present, the less nervous you will be and the more confident you will feel.

Myth 2: You Need to Memorize Your Entire Speech

While it’s good to have an overall understanding of your speech, you don’t have to memorize the entirety of your speech to be successful. In fact, trying to memorize each word of your speech can make your speech feel impersonal and, frankly, dull. Your audience wants to feel that you’re giving a speech on a topic you know and care about. When you present a speech entirely from memory, it can sound like you’re reading words from a page rather than presenting from your heart.

Myth 3: Seasoned Public Speakers Don’t Get Nervous

One common public speaking myth we often hear is that seasoned public speakers don’t get nervous, which simply isn’t true. While some presenters may find techniques to calm their nerves before a presentation, doesn’t mean that they don’t still get nervous. Being anxious before presenting is a normal feeling to have, and it’s completely okay to be a little nervous. So even though nerves may never completely go away, you can find tricks and techniques that can help you calm your nerves.

For help with your next speech, consider working with a Chicago speech coach. Executive speech coaching can help you prepare for that next big job interview, an upcoming presentation, or your overall communication skills as a rising leader. Contact us today to get started!

Selective mutism can be found in children of all ages. Children who have selective mutism may be comfortable communicating in familiar situations, but struggle to communicate in social situations they aren’t as comfortable with. Selective mutism can typically first be spotted in children who are starting school or another group program. This is due to the fact that children may feel anxiety from being in a new social situation.

What Are Some Signs of Selective Mutism in Children?

Some common signs of selective mutism in children include:

• Has a hard time speaking in unfamiliar or uncomfortable situations
• Can talk in certain situations but not in others, such as while at school
• Whispers instead of talking at an appropriate volume
• Has a frozen facial expression in social situations
• Gets nervous or anxious about having to attend social events
• Avoids eye contact with others
• Clings to their parents in social situations
• Uses gestures instead of talking
• Is very shy around people they don’t know

What Causes Selective Mutism in Children?

Though it is not clear what exactly causes selective mutism in children, anxiety seems to be one of the main causes. When children don’t feel comfortable in a situation they’re in (such as starting school or meeting new people), they may have anxiety about that situation. This could cause them to essentially freeze and have trouble getting their words out. Children may feel anxious in situations where they are around people they don’t know, or when they are in new surroundings.

How Can a Speech-Language Pathologist Help My Child With Selective Mutism?

If you find that your child is struggling with selective mutism, a speech-language pathologist (SLP) can help. An SLP will work with you and your child to come up with a plan that fits your child’s needs. They’ll be able to help answer any questions or concerns that you may have, can help your child work on developing their speech and language skills, and can also help them overcome their selective mutism. If you’re looking to connect with an SLP in Chicago, please contact us. Our team would be happy to answer any questions you may have and can help you decide if speech therapy is suitable for your child.

The holidays are finally here, which means one thing… it’s time to celebrate! With the holidays comes spending time with loved ones, making joyful memories, and exchanging meaningful gifts with one another. We love this time of year and truly enjoy coming up with some fun ideas for the public speaker in your life. No matter if you’re shopping for someone new to the public speaking game or a seasoned public speaking veteran - you’re sure to find a great gift on this list:

Public Speaking Book

The next gift that we recommend is a public speaking book. There are so many fantastic public speaking books that can help you to improve your skills. Getting tips, tricks, and techniques from experts in the public speaking field can only make you a better public speaker overall, and anyone trying to work on their presenting skills will love being able to learn more about enhancing their skills through reading.

Journal

One gift that any public speaker will love is a journal. It gives the speaker the chance to write down their thoughts and notes about any upcoming presentations and allows them to plan out their speech in advance. Writing down and seeing your thoughts on paper is such a great way to get prepared for an upcoming speech, and a journal is a perfect place to do so.

Drink Mug

Let’s face it. Public speaking can be stressful at times and, frankly, can be draining. This is why the next gift we recommend is a drink mug. Gifting someone a mug that they can drink tea or coffee out of will give them a significant boost of energy as they can refill it with a hot beverage while planning and practicing their speech. At the end of the day, we all can probably agree that there’s nothing better than reaching for your favorite beverage in your favorite mug during a stressful day.

A Gift Card to Their Favorite Restaurant

The final gift we recommend giving to the public speaker in your life this holiday season is a gift card to their favorite restaurant. Preparing for and performing a speech is time-consuming, and it can be hard to get out and do the things that you enjoy during this time. This is why any public speaker will be delighted to receive a gift card from their favorite restaurant. It gives them the chance to relax, take pride in their accomplishments, and enjoy a delicious meal at their favorite spot.

For help with your next speech, consider working with a Chicago speech coach. Executive speech coaching can help you prepare for that next big job interview, an upcoming presentation, or your overall communication skills as a rising leader. Contact us today to get started!

The air is crisp, and fluffy white snow is falling through the air - winter is finally here! Winter is the perfect time to rejoice in some fun activities that will help your child work on their speech therapy. This time of year allows you and your little ones to participate in some activities that you can only take part in during the winter months. From getting outside in the snow, to crafting snow-based projects in the warmth of your home, and more - here are 3 winter speech therapy activities to try at home:

Create a Holiday Story

The first activity you can do with your child is to create a holiday story. Sit down with your little one and take turns coming up with a fun winter-themed story. While you and your child describe what you want the story to be about, write down each part of the story on separate pieces of paper. Once the story is complete, have your child sit down and draw cute images that fit each part of the story!

Make Gingerbread Cookies

The next winter speech activity you can do with your child is to make gingerbread cookies. While you’re putting the ingredients into the bowl and mixing them together, talk out loud with your child during each step. For example, while your little one is mixing the ingredients, ask them to explain what they’re doing. Then, once the cookies are done baking, take time out to create colorful decorations on the cookies! There’s no doubt that this activity is a whole lot of fun (and delicious)!

Build a Snowman

The last winter speech therapy we recommend (and possibly our favorite) is to build a snowman. Bundle up, get your snow gear on, and get ready to embrace the snow! Work with your child to gather snow and roll balls to make a snowman. Talk with your child throughout the process and take turns describing what you’re doing. Once your snowballs are stacked, ask your child to name the snowman and have them come up with a story about their new friend!

If you find that your child is falling behind in their speech and language development, please feel free to contact us to talk to an SLP in Chicago. Our team would be happy to answer any questions you may have and can help you decide if speech therapy is suitable for your child.

One of the most important parts of delivering a public speaking presentation is connecting with your audience. People in your audience are there to listen to your presentation, but they will be more engaged and interested in what you’re saying if you can make a connection with them early on. There are so many things that can connect us as humans, and it’s a lot easier than you might think to make those connections with your audience. If you’re looking to connect with your audience during your next public speaking engagement but aren’t sure where to start, read on for some of our favorite techniques:

Tell a Story

One of the first things that you can do to connect with your audience is to tell them a story. While writing your speech, think of a story in your life that relates to your speech topic and incorporate that story into your presentation. Your audience will enjoy learning more about you on a personal level, and chances are, some or most of your audience members will be able to relate to the story you’re telling.

Bonus Tip: you may find that you can build an even stronger connection with your audience if you can incorporate a story that they can connect to on an emotional level.

Ask a Question

At the beginning of your speech, consider asking your audience a question related to your presentation and encourage them to respond with a show of hands. For example, if your topic is “how to overcome your fear of public speaking,” you could ask your audience to raise their hands if they’ve ever been nervous about giving a speech. After they’ve given their response, you can follow up with some strategies that they can use to get over their fear. Finally, at the end of your speech, ask your audience member to raise their hands if they feel like they’ve learned some techniques from your speech that they can use to help them during their next public speaking engagement.

Use Humor

The final technique you can use to connect with your audience during your next public speaking engagement is humor. Being able to make your audience laugh is a surefire way to connect with them. We suggest incorporating an appropriate joke into the beginning of your presentation that relates to your topic. This allows your audience to relax and get settled in while also helping them to feel more comfortable and connected with you.

For help with your next virtual presentation, consider working with a Chicago speech coach. Executive speech coaching can help you prepare for that next big job interview, an upcoming public speaking engagement, or your overall communication skills as a rising leader. Contact us today to get started!

Stuttering is a communication disorder that affects more than 70 million people worldwide. It can significantly impact how people communicate and make it harder for children to develop their speech and language skills. If you’re concerned that your child may be developing a stutter, there are some signs that you can look out for. Being able to identify a stutter in your child early on can ensure that you can begin working with them as soon as possible to try and manage or overcome their stuttering.

Signs of Stuttering in Children:

Some of the most common signs of stuttering in children include:

• Quick eye blinking while talking
• Repeats words or syllables
• Has a hard time beginning words
• Uses filler words frequently
• Has anxiety about talking
• Tries to avoid speaking
• Takes long pauses in between sentences or words
• Taps their hand often while speaking
• Clenches their fists while speaking
• Gets frustrated while speaking
• Clears their throat frequently while talking
• Consistently changes words for fears that they may stutter

Tips to Help Your Child Overcome Their Stuttering:

If your child is exhibiting signs of stuttering, there are some things that you can do to try and help them overcome or manage their stuttering at home. Some of these strategies include:

• Set time aside each day to talk with your child. Have a conversation with them, and allow them to work on slowly annunciating their words.
• Don’t interrupt your child while they are speaking.
• Show your child praise when they do efficiently communicate without stuttering.
• Avoid saying negative comments or expressing disappointment when your child does stutter.
• Make your home a safe space for your child to express their thoughts and feelings about their stutter.

Stuttering is something that many people struggle with, but if addressed early on, your child can find strategies that work for them to help effectively manage or overcome their stutter. If you find that your child has developed a stutter or is falling behind in their speech and language development, please feel free to contact us to talk to an SLP in Chicago. Our team would be happy to answer any questions you may have and help you decide if speech therapy is suitable for your child.

Delivering your presentation with confidence can make all the difference. Confidence shows the audience that you know what you’re talking about and helps to gain their trust. The more confident and prepared you are for your presentation, the easier it will be to deliver your speech, and the calmer you will feel. If you’re struggling to have confidence while presenting, there are some things that you can do to work on delivering your next presentation with confidence. Here are some tips to help you work on delivering your next presentation with confidence:

Arrive Early

Get to your venue a little early so that you can feel out your environment. Walk around the room, stand where you’ll be presenting, and prepare any materials and visuals that you’ll be using. Take some time to get comfortable and consider going over your speech one last time. Arriving early allows you to get used to your surroundings, which will make you more relaxed and confident while presenting.

Dress Comfortably

A big key to feeling confident while presenting is wearing comfortable clothing. You want to dress to impress your audience, but if you aren’t comfortable with what you’re wearing, it’s going to be very hard to focus on your speech and project confidence. The last thing you want is to be on stage and feel uncomfortable with what you’re wearing.

Have Positive Body Language

Having poor body language can hurt your confidence while presenting. This is why you must show positive body language when you’re in front of your audience. Stand up straight, smile, make eye contact, use hand gestures, take your time, breathe, stay calm, and project your voice. The more positive body language you have during your presentation, the more confident you will feel.

Practice Ahead of Time

Our final tip for delivering your next presentation with confidence is to practice ahead of time. Practice, practice, and practice some more! Practice in front of the mirror, in front of your friends and family, even record yourself practicing. The more you take the time to learn your presentation and feel more comfortable with giving your presentation, the more confident you will feel.

For help with your next speech, consider working with a Chicago speech coach. Executive speech coaching can help you prepare for that next big job interview, an upcoming presentation, or your overall communication skills as a rising leader. Contact us today to get started!

If you find that your child is struggling with their speech and language development, it’s crucial to develop a plan to help them avoid falling behind. Being able to detect early signs of common communication disorders can help ensure that your child gets the help they need.

If you’re concerned that your child may be falling behind with their speech and language development, you may want to consider speaking to a speech-language pathologist (SLP). An SLP can help you understand what your child may be going through and establish a plan of action based on your child’s needs.

What Exactly Does a Speech-Language Pathologist Do?

A speech-language pathologist can help work with your child on any communication disorders they are facing. They will be able to assess your child to find out what communication disorder they are struggling with and develop a concrete plan to help your child improve on their skills. Speech-language pathologists commonly work with children who have been diagnosed with the following:

• Stuttering
• Speech Sound Disorders
• Dysarthria
• Aphasia
• Autism
• Dyslexia
• Difficulty Swallowing
• Deafness
• Apraxia
• Articulation Disorders
• Delayed Speech Development

How Can a Speech-Language Pathologist Help My Child?

A speech-language pathologist will work with you and your child to find out what exactly they may be struggling with. Once they determine what area of your child’s speech and language development needs to be worked on, an SLP can come up with a plan for your child. Your child can work on their skills with activities at home and with the speech-language pathologist in person. An SLP can help your child improve their speech and language skills to ensure that they don’t fall behind.

Who Can I Speak to if I Think My Child is Falling Behind in Their Speech and Language Development?

If you find that your child is falling behind in their speech and language development, please don’t hesitate to contact us to talk to a speech-language pathologist in Chicago. Our team would be happy to answer any questions you may have and can help you decide if speech therapy is right for your child. Always remember that you and your child are not alone. It may be worrisome to find out that your child has a speech and language disorder, but with a bit of help from a speech-language pathologist, you’ll see improvement in your child’s skills in no time.