The Great Tree, a magical tree with white bark and red leaves
The cover of "What Lights Your Way", set at The Great Tree, a magical tree with white bark, and a golden podium
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What Lights Your Way

The Oratorical Festival is coming to Lux University! Students will give speeches about "What Lights Your Way"—sharing something meaningful that guides them. There's just one problem: you're terrified of public speaking! But maybe, with help from your friends and a little courage, you'll discover that your voice matters more than you know.

CourageSelf-ManagementLuxterra

About This Story

What your child will experience

Your child helps their character prepare for and deliver a speech at Lux University's Oratorical Festival. They'll choose what topic to speak about, decide how to structure their message, and practice managing the very real fear of public speaking. Along the way, they'll receive feedback from friends, choose coping strategies for nervousness, and ultimately deliver a speech that reflects their values.

Why this approach helps

This story builds emotional regulation skills by naming anxiety and practicing concrete strategies to work through it. It also teaches practical communication skills—how to organize a message, support it with examples, and speak authentically. By making choices about their speech content, children practice self-awareness (what matters to me?) and responsible decision-making (how do I want to share it?).

What to notice as a parent

Your child's choices reveal what feels scary about being seen or heard, and what they consider meaningful enough to share. Notice how they respond to feedback—graciously? defensively?—and which coping strategies they choose when nervous. These clues show how they might handle real performance anxiety at school. Afterward, ask: "What part felt hardest for your character? What would you do if you had to give a speech?"

Personalize This Story

Make this story truly special by adding these details:

  • ✓Who is giving a speech at the Oratory Festival?

Story Questions

Questions your child may be asked while creating this story:

  1. Why does the main character decide to try, even though it's scary?
  2. What feels scariest to the main character about giving a speech?
  3. What is the ONE big idea the main character wants to share?
  4. What idea will help explain the main character's message?
  5. What will make the main character's speech memorable?
  6. How does the main character respond to their friends' feedback?
  7. How will the main character handle feeling nervous during the speech?
  8. What did the main character learn from this experience?

Loved by Families

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