How to give a demonstration - 101
Sure you can! Learning how to give a demonstration is a great way to learn how to talk in front of a group of people --- and even better... you can share an activity that you really like to do or about your 4-H project!
Are you really great at giving your dog a bath? Share your secret skills!
Do you make the best peanut butter and jelly sandwiches this side of the Pacific Ocean? Share your recipe!
Do you love to talk about raising pigs for fair? Share your experiences!
When you have a passion for what you are talking about, it is much easier to share the information with others... This is step one.
Why do we give demonstrations?
Sharing! Sharing your knowledge on a specific topic is the number one reason we give demonstrations. #2? Well, this is to practice talking in front of people to develop self-confidence. #3 is to learn how to express your ideas clearly. Imagine explaining to someone who has a blindfold on how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. If you are not clear in your directions, you might end up with a big mess! The #4 reason why we give demonstrations is to learn how to be "quick on our feet." No, not like running quick - but to answer questions spontaneously about the subject matter that you know all about.
Parts of a Demonstration
1. Introduction - what you are going to talk about in your demonstration.
2. Body - the steps of skill that you are going to share
3. Summary - Review the steps
4. Q & A time - some of our audience members might have questions to help enhance their learning this new skill you taught them.
SELECT A TOPIC. Check out these two videos on how to give 4-H Demonstrations.
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COLLECT MATERIALS and EQUIPMENT
Make a list of all of the materials and equipment that you will need to give your demonstration. Some equipment might have to be a photo or smaller version if the item is too large. Try to have all of your materials available when you are doing your demonstration because the people watching and learning will want to see all of the steps.
INTRODUCTION
When you begin your demonstration, tell a little bit about yourself! And then state the title of your demonstration and share with the audience what new skill you will be teaching them.
Tips about Titles: When thinking of a title for your demonstration, try to think of something catchy or clever. The title should be something that will create interest and curiosity about your topic. For example, if you are going to share how to make your favorite green spinach smoothie, you might title your demonstration "Green Machine." Some people might think that you are going to talk about John Deer tractors, others might think you are going to talk about why spinach is good for you...
DEVELOP YOUR OUTLINE
1. Develop - think about and write down each of the steps that you will need to share in your demonstration.
2. Define key words - if there is any vocabulary words that might be new to your audience, be sure to define those key words
3. Explain - For each step you will be sharing, be sure to explain what you are doing, how you are completing the step, and why you are doing it.
4. Show - Have an end product to show, even if you can not complete the entire sample during your demonstration. For example, if you are demonstrating how to make a cake, you will need to have a pre-baked cake to show as what a finished baked cake looks like.
5. Share where you found the information for your demonstration. Maybe you learned how to bake a cake from your grandma, and she used a family cook book.
SUMMARIZE
Awesome! You finished teaching your audience how to bake a cake by going through each step. Now it is time to summarize what you taught them.
1. Review the main points - this could be quickly go over the most important steps
2. Clear your work area so that you are able to show the finished product
3. Ask the audience if anyone has any questions. What if you don't know the answer to a question? Simply say, "I do not have the answer to your question right now, but I would be happy to find out and get back to you."
TIPS
Using posters - creating posters for your demonstration can be helpful. Create a poster with the title, one or two (as needed) with the directions (steps) and maybe one that says Thank you! Letters should be large enough to read and very neat.
Practice your demonstration often. Invite your family to sit down and listen to your demonstration. Practice in front of a mirror! Share your demonstration with your animals. Practice makes perfect!
What to wear? Make sure to wear clean, suitable clothes. No holey jeans, graphic t-shirts, or muddy shoes. If you are sharing a cooking demonstration, be sure to pull your hair back into a pony tail or wear a hat or hair net. Also, consider wearing an apron or a chefs coat.
Stand TALL! ... stand up tall and talk clearly when giving your demonstration. Practicing will help with this tip. If you keep your chin up, you will talk louder and your voice will carry.
Be at ease... easy for you to say! Even if you are really nervous, just smile! It will help to ease your nerves. Once you get into the groove of your demonstration, your nerves will calm down and you will be finished before you even know it.
YOU DID IT!
See, it wasn't that bad!!! I bet you even had some fun!
Want to see another example --- just to make sure you have your demonstration down? Here's another great example of successful 4-H demonstrations.
Make a list of all of the materials and equipment that you will need to give your demonstration. Some equipment might have to be a photo or smaller version if the item is too large. Try to have all of your materials available when you are doing your demonstration because the people watching and learning will want to see all of the steps.
INTRODUCTION
When you begin your demonstration, tell a little bit about yourself! And then state the title of your demonstration and share with the audience what new skill you will be teaching them.
Tips about Titles: When thinking of a title for your demonstration, try to think of something catchy or clever. The title should be something that will create interest and curiosity about your topic. For example, if you are going to share how to make your favorite green spinach smoothie, you might title your demonstration "Green Machine." Some people might think that you are going to talk about John Deer tractors, others might think you are going to talk about why spinach is good for you...
DEVELOP YOUR OUTLINE
1. Develop - think about and write down each of the steps that you will need to share in your demonstration.
2. Define key words - if there is any vocabulary words that might be new to your audience, be sure to define those key words
3. Explain - For each step you will be sharing, be sure to explain what you are doing, how you are completing the step, and why you are doing it.
4. Show - Have an end product to show, even if you can not complete the entire sample during your demonstration. For example, if you are demonstrating how to make a cake, you will need to have a pre-baked cake to show as what a finished baked cake looks like.
5. Share where you found the information for your demonstration. Maybe you learned how to bake a cake from your grandma, and she used a family cook book.
SUMMARIZE
Awesome! You finished teaching your audience how to bake a cake by going through each step. Now it is time to summarize what you taught them.
1. Review the main points - this could be quickly go over the most important steps
2. Clear your work area so that you are able to show the finished product
3. Ask the audience if anyone has any questions. What if you don't know the answer to a question? Simply say, "I do not have the answer to your question right now, but I would be happy to find out and get back to you."
TIPS
Using posters - creating posters for your demonstration can be helpful. Create a poster with the title, one or two (as needed) with the directions (steps) and maybe one that says Thank you! Letters should be large enough to read and very neat.
Practice your demonstration often. Invite your family to sit down and listen to your demonstration. Practice in front of a mirror! Share your demonstration with your animals. Practice makes perfect!
What to wear? Make sure to wear clean, suitable clothes. No holey jeans, graphic t-shirts, or muddy shoes. If you are sharing a cooking demonstration, be sure to pull your hair back into a pony tail or wear a hat or hair net. Also, consider wearing an apron or a chefs coat.
Stand TALL! ... stand up tall and talk clearly when giving your demonstration. Practicing will help with this tip. If you keep your chin up, you will talk louder and your voice will carry.
Be at ease... easy for you to say! Even if you are really nervous, just smile! It will help to ease your nerves. Once you get into the groove of your demonstration, your nerves will calm down and you will be finished before you even know it.
YOU DID IT!
See, it wasn't that bad!!! I bet you even had some fun!
Want to see another example --- just to make sure you have your demonstration down? Here's another great example of successful 4-H demonstrations.
