My daughter always had strong opinions, but never the confidence to voice them clearly. She would often mumble during group activities and get flustered when put on the spot. So when her school announced a debate competition, she wanted to participate — but lacked the structure and delivery skills. That’s when we turned to PlanetSpark.

Week 1: Her teacher focused not on 'what' she was saying, but 'how' she was saying it. They practiced intonation, pauses, and expressions. The sessions weren’t just theoretical — she had to present ideas every time. Her teacher made sure she didn’t just speak, but also listened, evaluated, and responded. She even got to evaluate a mock debate with peers and point out strengths in others’ speeches, which helped her understand audience expectations.

Week 3: They started writing arguments using logic trees and rebuttal blocks. I was blown away at how systematic the curriculum was. It wasn’t just “say your opinion” — it was “support your argument,” “anticipate counterpoints,” “use real-life examples.” For a 10-year-old, that’s impressive. They even used news headlines to frame practice topics, which made her more aware of current affairs.

By Week 6: She had created, memorized, and rehearsed a 3-minute speech on the topic: “Social Media Is More Harm Than Good.” She rehearsed not because I asked her to — but because she wanted to. Her coach helped her add pauses for impact and change tone when delivering emotional arguments.

Competition Day: She was poised. She made her points, used hand gestures, and even responded to opposing arguments with confidence. She won second place — but for us, it felt like gold.

Final Reflection: This wasn’t just about a win. It was about giving her a stage and watching her rise to it. PlanetSpark wasn’t a coaching class. It was a launchpad. And if your child struggles with structured thinking or public expression, I say this from experience — this platform delivers.