For many toddlers, performing seems to come naturally and easily, whether it's an impromptu dance performance in the living room or comedy routine from the back seat of the car.

But as we get older, we can start to get self-conscious and worry about negative judgment or what other people will think.

Which makes us want to avoid performing. Which only makes performing seem scarier, gives us fewer opportunities to practice getting better at performing, and could lead to more negative experiences on stage, and more avoidance.

So how do we interuppt this cycle? if we're uncomfortable playing for an audience, how can we practice performing and build up more confidence and positive performance experiences? Short of just doing it anyway and hoping for the best?

A 2014 study about young readers (it's more relevant than you might think) may provide some clues!

Get all the nerdy details and this week’s practice hack right here:

A Gentle Way to Help Kids (or Adults) Build Performance Confidence?

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