5 tips for engaging 700 young children

Words by Eleanor Yeld Hutchings

‘You would like us to come and do a talk at your school assembly?
Of course! We’d love to.
Wait, for how many children? Around 700?
OK. And what age range? 6-13?
We have 20 minutes?
Great. See you then!’

…Gulp…

Twenty minutes to tell 700 children aged between six and 13 at The Grove Primary School all about marine conservation, False Bay and sharks? Challenge ACCEPTED!

We had a wonderful morning there and left a school full of excited, enthusiastic future shark experts and marine conservationists. But we also learnt a few things!

The Grove Primary students listen keenly as they learn about our sharks

Here are my top five tips for keeping a hall full of young people engaged:

1. VISUALS! FILM! MUSIC! They appeal to different age groups and engage people, helping your topic really come alive. (One wonderful clip we showed comes from Save Our Seas Foundation-funded researcher Lauren De Vos. Do yourself a favour and watch it here: https://vimeo.com/53831195)
2. Ask your audience questions and wait for answers. Yes, even a hall full of 700 children!
3. Don’t be afraid to shake up your standard approach and try something new.
4. Be enthusiastic – it’s contagious. Even if you are nervous or you are not all that sure how your talk is going to be received, give it all you’ve got.
5. Make sure that at least one other person is familiar with the presentation. You never know what’s going to happen (traffic jams, accidents, laryngitis!)

Here is an excerpt from the lovely email we got from The Grove after our visit:
‘A HUGE thank you from me and the whole of The Grove Primary for the wonderful talk Eleanor and Zanele presented at our assembly. It was absolutely perfect in every way and really made a huge impact on both our staff and children.’