For parents of young learners
How to teach your child to talk to adults confidently
Many children chat happily with friends but go quiet with relatives, guests or teachers. Talking to adults feels different, and children often don't know what to say. With a few simple phrases and some practice, they can learn to greet, answer and ask with confidence.
By the Eloqova team · Updated 9 November 2026
Free printable kit for your child's class: speaking worksheets and a speech planner.Get it freeGive them a script: Children feel braver when they know exactly what to say. Practise the first line at home before meeting guests.
8 tips to build confidence with adults
- Practise greetings at home before guests arrive.
- Don't answer for your child; give them time to reply.
- Let your child order food or pay at a shop.
- Role play common moments: meeting a relative, answering the door, calling a grandparent.
- Teach eye contact and a smile with the greeting.
- Prepare one thing your child can share, like a drawing or a story from school.
- Praise every small step, like saying hello, even quietly.
- Never call your child shy in front of others.
12 polite phrases to practise
| Situation | Phrase |
|---|---|
| Greeting a guest | Good evening, Uncle. How are you? |
| Introducing yourself | Hello, I'm Aarav. I'm in Class 3. |
| Answering "How are you?" | I'm fine, thank you. How are you? |
| Answering the phone | Hello, this is Riya speaking. May I know who is calling? |
| Taking a message | Please hold on, I'll call my mother. |
| Asking a teacher for help | Excuse me, ma'am, could you help me with this? |
| Asking a shopkeeper | Excuse me, how much is this? |
| Saying thank you | Thank you for the gift. I really like it. |
| Not understanding | Sorry, could you say that again, please? |
| Sharing news | Guess what? I won a prize at school today. |
| Leaving | It was nice to meet you. Goodbye! |
| Saying sorry | I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. |
How to practise at home
- Practise 2 phrases a week through role play.
- Let your child answer the next family video call first.
- Before visiting relatives, agree on one thing your child will say.
- Afterwards, praise one specific thing they did well.
Questions parents ask
Why is my child shy with adults?
Talking to adults feels more formal, and many children don't know what to say. Practising simple phrases at home builds confidence.
How do I teach my child to greet guests?
Practise a simple greeting with eye contact and a smile before guests arrive, and give your child time to say it without answering for them.
What phone manners should children learn?
Greet politely, say who is speaking, ask who is calling, and say "Please hold on" before calling an adult.
More free guides
Want expert help? See our communication skills classes for kids: live 1:1 online classes for UKG to Grade 8.