how would you encourage you child to debate?

[supermum007]

My DD is a very timid girl and I though if I have some sort of debate with her then she might gain confidence in talking and putting her thoughts forward.
I have tried the local sppech and drama class but had to stop as it was very expensive.
She comes home and says that she was told off unnecessary and was not able to explain why she has done that.Just few suggestions would help. She is a very good reader and is good in maths but cant understand why she should be a complete push over.

How old is she ?

discussion skills

www.amazon.co.uk/Philosophy-Kids-Questions-Wonder-about-Everything/dp/1882664701/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8& qid=1276699775&sr=1-1-spell

standing up for yourself

www.amazon.co.uk/Stick-Up-Yourself-Personal-Self-Esteem/dp/1575420686/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid =1276699809&sr=1-1

www.amazon.co.uk/Bullies-Bigmouths-So-called-Friends-Alexander/dp/0340911840/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=bo oks&qid=1276699809&sr=1-3

Those are all good

One of my three is like this. It has got better as she has got older.

she is only 9. Thanks for the suggestion anyway.

Great resources here

It would be good to get her to argue in favour of something she disagrees with, or even something completely untrue ('The sky is pink' for example) and to examine with her the skills needed to convince someone of something.

Such a great skill to be teaching her; well done

I learnt all my debating skills through Young Farmers and if you are rural or semi rural there could be a club near you which she could join and then take part, although she is a little young at the moment, many clubs have a junior section. They also hold debating competitions to a high standard up to national level, you could go and watch to give her an idea of debating.

moocowmrs -I have just checked their website (young farmers) It is abour 30mins drive from my home.I am not from this country(been her for the last 15years) and I am not a farmer - does it matter.It does look interesting and I just want to know what happens there exactly Can u please explain.

Tethersend-Thanks for your advice.I have had a glance at the website and will go through it in more detail at a later time. This was exactly I was thinking - icould ask her to prepare something along the line you suggested and ask her to speak.Greatg idea.

find some siblings...they debate/argue like hell!

builde I have a 2year old(she is completely different to my eldest- very confidant,outgoing and I dont think I will have any problem with her and I am sure in 3-4 years time there will lot of arguments at home )