How to help your child feel confident on stage this Christmas

Published on: 03 December 2019 Author: Harriet Muncaster

Watching your child in the school Christmas show is one of life's magic moments. But what if they're shy and dreading their moment on stage? Author Harriet Muncaster shares her top tips for making sure that everyone has fun.

From the front cover of Isadora Moon Puts on a Show by Harriet Muncaster

There’s nothing better on a dark, chilly evening close to Christmas than settling down to watch a stage show.

I love it when the lights go up, revealing a magical and captivating scene. You can forget about the cold night outside and escape into a glittering fantasy scene on the stage.

But even though I really enjoy visiting the theatre, sometimes it’s even more fun to create your own Christmas show!

Create your own Christmas show at home

The great thing about creating your own Christmas show is that there are so many ways you can do it, and so many different types of roles you can do. There really is something for everyone.

What does your child like doing? What’s their talent? I’m sure they have something special that they are really good at! You know, Isadora Moon in my books may not be the best at fairy wand magic, or the best at flying like a vampire, but she’s second-to-none when it comes to ballet!

Can your child dance like Isadora? Or maybe they can sing, or act, or play an instrument, or do a cool trick? Even if they’re not confident with those things, then perhaps they’re good at organising and directing other people from backstage, or have a talent for writing a script for others to say on stage, or maybe can design and make props?

Whatever their special skill is, I’m sure they’ll be able to use it to put on a wonderfully magical Christmas show!

Six tips for getting up on stage

Sometimes getting up in front of people can be a bit scary. Here are some tips to share with your child to help them feel confident when performing in the school Christmas show:

Stand up straight, look up, and smile! The way you stand really makes a difference to how confident you look, and how confident you feel inside.
Practice on your own until you’re happy to perform in front of people.
If you’re feeling nervous, do some belly breathing. Put your hands on your belly and as you breathe slowly in and out, imagine a balloon inflating and deflating. This should really help you to calm down.
Pretend that your clothes are a protective suit of armour – when you put on your sweater of strength, you become a superstar!
Remember that nobody is perfect all the time – the only way to improve at something is to keep trying!
Don’t compare yourself with other people. You are brilliant at being you, nobody does it better!

If your child would like some more tips for putting on a great Christmas show at home (or at any other time of the year), also have a look at these other helpful hints: