Spreading Smiles

The Power of Words: Boosting Confidence and Creativity Through Public Speaking Ever wondered how public speaking can help kids grow? Whether they’re sharing ideas in class or telling stories to friends, learning to speak confidently can make a big difference. Ready to see how? Why It Matters: Public speaking isn’t just about talking; it’s about expressing yourself clearly. Kids who practice public speaking build confidence and learn to communicate better, which helps them in school and beyond. Plus, it encourages creativity—whether they’re crafting stories or presenting ideas. Fun Ways to Practice: Get kids excited about speaking by making it fun! Try storytelling, play charades with a twist by narrating actions, or host mini speech contests at home. These activities make practicing public speaking enjoyable and less intimidating. Beat the Nerves: Nervous about speaking in front of others? No worries—deep breathing and regular practice can help kids feel more at ease. Encourage them to start with small audiences and remember that mistakes are just part of learning. Real Benefits: Public speaking isn’t just for school; it’s a skill that helps in life. From acing class presentations to expressing themselves confidently in social situations, kids who speak well stand out. Plus, it can spark a love for creative thinking and storytelling. Encouraging Creativity: Writing and preparing speeches isn’t just about speaking; it’s about thinking creatively. As kids organize their thoughts and find engaging ways to present them, they’re also boosting their writing skills and imagination. Your Turn How do you encourage your kids to practice public speaking? Share your tips and let’s help our kids grow into confident, creative communicators!

Elevate Your Communication Skills: From Good to Great! Ever wonder what it takes to go from a good speaker to a great one? Whether you're leading a meeting, giving a presentation, or having an important conversation, these tips will help you stand out and make a real impact. Ready to level up? 1. Who Are You Talking To? Think about your audience—are they colleagues, clients, or a mixed group? The better you know who you’re talking to, the easier it is to connect. What do they care about? What will grab their attention? Get inside their heads! 2. Make It Stick Kick things off with a bang—something that grabs attention right away. Keep your message clear and concise and wrap up with a strong finish. Got a great story or an interesting fact? Throw it in! People remember what makes them feel something. 3. Practice, Practice, Practice Ever tried recording yourself? It’s a game-changer. Watch yourself to see where you can improve. Work on your pacing, tone, and gestures. Keep practicing until it feels natural—you'll be amazed at how much more confident you’ll feel. 4. Let Your Body Talk Your body language can make or break your message. Make eye contact, use hand gestures to emphasize your points, and stand tall to show confidence. Forget the nervous habits—they just get in the way of your message. 5. Pause for Power Don’t rush! Pausing can be your secret weapon. It gives your audience time to digest what you’ve said and adds emphasis to your key points. A little silence can go a long way. 6. Get Them Involved Want your audience to really pay attention? Get them involved! Ask questions, invite them to share their thoughts, or use humor to make a connection. The more engaged they are, the more memorable your message will be. 7. Be Real People can spot a fake from a mile away. Be yourself, share your personal experiences, and speak with passion. When you’re authentic, your audience will feel it—and they’ll connect with you more. What about you—do you have a favorite speaking tip or a story about a time you nailed (or failed) a presentation? Share it in the comments! Let’s help each other get from good to great together!

Spreading Smiles Back-to-School Drive! "As we're gearing up to make the start of the school year a little brighter for students in our community, our Back-to-School Drive is in full swing, and we’re excited to collect school supplies to help every child start the year off right. How You Can Help Join us by donating new school supplies at one of our drop-off locations or by sharing a donation online. Together, we can make a big impact! Drop-Off Location 17634 NE Union Hill Rd, Suite 130 Redmond WA 98052 #BackToSchoolDrive #LWSD #donate

I am glad to share a special moment and note from CBF 2024 participants Kiyana and Aishal Neema, who took their first step into the world of entrepreneurship by selling their handmade items. Thanks for the proud parents for this wonderful note: "Thank you for giving kids the opportunity to explore the business world. My daughter earned her first income from selling handmade hair clips." We’re proud of all our young entrepreneurs who showcased their creativity. Keep shining! Check out more on our website: https://lnkd.in/gjz-RUjF #spreadingsmileswa #YoungEntrepreneurs #handmadewithloveandcare

?? Spreading Smiles Children's Business Fair: A Big Win! ?? On August 3rd, Redmond Downtown Park was buzzing with awesome kid entrepreneurs at the Spreading Smiles Children's Business Fair. It was amazing to see so much creativity and talent! Thank you to all the kidpreneurs, their families, and everyone who joined us. You made the day extra special! Check out the photos below for some cool moments from the event. ?? We can’t wait for more fun ahead—visit www.spreadingsmileswa.org for updates! #spreadingsmileswa #KidPreneurs #FutureLeaders

Spreading Smiles Children's Business Fair 2024: Winners Announced! Once again, congratulations to our winners of this year's top three categories: Most Original Business Idea: Bee Brother Beeswax Candles – Unique and creative beeswax candles! Best Presentation: Palette and Helium Creations – Engaging and stunning presentation! Most Business Potential: Owen Fourney Studios/Curious Fidgets – A customer favorite! Congratulations to all our winners! Your creativity and hard work were truly impressive. All winners will be receiving $20 cash prize. Please check your email for more details. #spreadingsmileswa #ChildrensBusinessFair #YoungEntrepreneurs

A Heartfelt Thank You for a Fantastic Spreading Smiles Children's Business Fair! As we wrap up our annual event, a big shoutout to everyone who contributed to the success of the Spreading Smiles Children's Business Fair. It was an amazing day with 79 unique entrepreneurs and 51 booths showcasing their talents and ideas! A huge thank you to our Sponsors, Stemtree of Redmond and Acton Children's Business Fair. Your contributions helped create an unforgettable experience for the children, providing them with the resources and opportunities to explore their entrepreneurial spirit. We extend our deepest gratitude to our guest of honor and Judge for the fair, Osman Salahuddin Council Member, City of Redmond, WA -Government Council, and the contest judge Shalini Singh for inspiring and encouraging the young entrepreneurs. Your presence and words of wisdom left a lasting impression on everyone involved. A heartfelt thank you to our volunteers & supporters Amita Talati and Amit Talati —you were the backbone of this fair! Thank you to all attendees and supporters for joining us and showing your enthusiasm for the incredible talents of these young business leaders. #spreadingsmileswa #ChildrensBusinessFair #YoungEntrepreneurs #kids

Today’s the Day! Join Us for the Spreading Smiles Children's Business Fair! It’s finally here—the Spreading Smiles Children's Business Fair! We’re excited to celebrate the creativity and innovation of our young entrepreneurs. Come check us out! ?? Date: August 3rd, 2024 ?? Location: Redmond Downtown Park, 16140 NE 85th St, Redmond, WA 98052 ? Time: 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM Explore 50+ booths featuring our showcased entrepreneurs and much more. See you there! #spreadingsmileswa #ChildrensBusinessFair #youngentrepreneurs

?? 1 Day Until the Spreading Smiles Children's Business Fair! The countdown is almost over! Today's entrepreneurs are, Austin and Alvin Jiang with A + A Productions! ?? A + A Productions offers unique pet keychains, fidgets, and bookmarks. Get ready for tomorrow’s big event at Redmond Downtown Park! We can't wait to see you there! #spreadingsmileswa #ChildrensBusinessFair #RedmondWA #oneredmond #kidsactivities

?? 2 Days Until the Spreading Smiles Children's Business Fair! ?? Today, we're thrilled to introduce Divisha Mandal and her business, Bow Bow Ties. ?? Divisha offers adorable pet accessories that support animal shelters. Stay tuned as we count down! Don’t miss out on these amazing businesses! #spreadingsmileswa #ChildrensBusinessFair #YoungEntrepreneurs #RedmondEvents #FutureOfBusiness