Nearly half of Danish children aged 9–14 report distress over school presentations

Nearly half of Danish children aged 9–14 have felt repeated or persistent discomfort when giving school presentations, according to a new survey by Epinion for Ultra Nyt, reported by DR.

The study found that 47% of children in this age group have experienced significant nervousness during presentations, often describing it as unpleasant each time or on multiple occasions. Clinical psychologist Amalie Dalgaard Nielsen of Aarhus University’s CEBU research centre, which specialises in childhood anxiety, said the findings were unsurprising.

“Standing in front of classmates and being evaluated is naturally anxiety-provoking,” Nielsen said, noting that children at this age are highly attuned to others’ perceptions of them. “A presentation can feel like everyone is watching and judging.”

Twelve-year-old Solveig Krog Christensen told DR she finds presentations difficult. “I get nervous because so many people are looking at me, and I have to say a lot,” she said. “Sometimes I don’t even want to go to school the next day if I have to present.”

While Nielsen stressed that nervousness is a normal response—even beneficial, as it encourages preparation—she warned that excessive avoidance can reinforce anxiety. Over a quarter of surveyed children admitted they had tried to make excuses to skip presentations.

“Avoidance is the hallmark of anxiety,” Nielsen said. “The problem is that children never learn they can actually handle the situation.”

Despite her own nerves, Christensen said she has never followed through on avoiding a presentation. “Others can do it, so I can too,” she said.

Nielsen offered three key recommendations for parents helping nervous children:

Let the child find their own answers Instead of offering reassurance, parents should ask guiding questions: What happened last time you presented? What do others in class do if they make a mistake? What do you usually do? This builds the child’s ability to self-soothe over time.

Practise in smaller steps If presentations feel overwhelming, children can build confidence through lower-stakes interactions, such as asking a shop assistant for help or raising their hand in a favourite subject. “It’s about making the challenge feel less daunting when the time comes,” Nielsen said.

Reward brave efforts Recognition—whether praise, choosing dinner, or a small treat—can reinforce success. “It motivates them to try again and see that the effort was worth it,” she added.