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If Your Mind Goes Blank While Speaking

Tags

^21st Century Skills All Ages Strategy

Skills

Anxiety Self-regulation Working Memory

If Your Mind Goes Blank While Speaking

If your student often loses their train of thought while speaking and might get easily embarrassed

How To Apply It!

  1. Losing track of one's thoughts in the middle of speaking happens to everyone, it's knowing how to recover that makes all the difference.
  2. Since drawing a blank is often related to nerves, first try to calm your mind and your body.
  3. Take a deep breath before even trying to respond.
  4. Don't rush yourself. Be honest. Say, "I lost my train of thought. Remind me what we were discussing please." Those around you should be supportive.
  5. Alternatively, give yourself extra time with phrases like, "That's an interesting point..." or "Give me a second to consider that..." You can use body language such as wrinkling your brow or crossing your arms to show that you are thinking.
  6. If the teacher has called on you, you can say, "I think I need more time. Can you ask someone else and then come back to me."
  7. While the moment might feel very noticeable to you, it is likely that others don't notice. Remember, it really does happen to everyone.

Why It Works (the Science Of Learning)!

The hormones released when we feel nervous or stressed can interfere with complex thought processes and memory. Students with anxiety might notice that the more stressed they are, the more difficulties they have with working memory which has a direct effect on how efficiently they can respond. Taking a deep breath and relaxing when you feel nervous can slow your heart rate and keep your emotions in check so that you can think more clearly.