Debating

Debating is such a great way to develop skills in communication, persuasion, critical thinking and resilience. It is no surprise that great Debaters rise to the tops of their Professions. Try these kid friendly debating topics.
Each of the coaching cards below takes no more than five minutes and requires zero preparation. Since they are broadly for 5 - 15 year olds, we have tagged them as easy / medium / hard to help you pick the most appropriate for your child.
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Eating Meat?

Should we eat meat?

Improve debating skills
Medium
Guidance
Have your child pick a side and you can argue the other.
Prompts if stuck
1) What is your strongest point and can you make a "headline" from it?

Guidance

Take a side each. Arguments for - natural in food chain, high protein, convenient. Arguments against - breeding for slaughter, unhealthy fats, poor land use. Encourage your child to use facts and not opinions, using simple structure to their arguments, and listening to the counter-arguments for flaws. Depending on how much you want to push back on their flaws, it is also a good opportunity to build their resilience.

Prompts if stuck

1) There is no right answer. What do you personally think?

2) Now, how can you make a convincing case for?

3) And how can you make a convincing case against?

Eating Meat?

Should we eat meat?

Improve debating skills
Medium

Guidance

Take a side each. Arguments for - natural in food chain, high protein, convenient. Arguments against - breeding for slaughter, unhealthy fats, poor land use. Encourage your child to use facts and not opinions, using simple structure to their arguments, and listening to the counter-arguments for flaws. Depending on how much you want to push back on their flaws, it is also a good opportunity to build their resilience.

Prompts if stuck

1) There is no right answer. What do you personally think?

2) Now, how can you make a convincing case for?

3) And how can you make a convincing case against?

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play audio version

Fly in Planes?

Should we fly in planes, given environmental concerns?

Improve debating skills
Hard
Guidance
Have your child pick a side and you can argue the other.
Prompts if stuck
1) What is your strongest point and can you make a "headline" from it?

Guidance

Take a side each. Have your child pick a side and you can argue the other. Arguments for - fast, easy, safe. Arguments against - carbon emissions, noise pollution. Encourage your child to use facts and not opinions, using simple structure to their arguments, and anctipating and listening to the counter-arguments for flaws. Depending on how much you want to push back on their flaws, it is also a good opportunity to build their resilience.

Prompts if stuck

1) There is no right answer. What do you personally think?

2) Now, how can you make a convincing case for?

3) And how can you make a convincing case against?

Fly in Planes?

Should we fly in planes, given environmental concerns?

Improve debating skills
Hard

Guidance

Take a side each. Have your child pick a side and you can argue the other. Arguments for - fast, easy, safe. Arguments against - carbon emissions, noise pollution. Encourage your child to use facts and not opinions, using simple structure to their arguments, and anctipating and listening to the counter-arguments for flaws. Depending on how much you want to push back on their flaws, it is also a good opportunity to build their resilience.

Prompts if stuck

1) There is no right answer. What do you personally think?

2) Now, how can you make a convincing case for?

3) And how can you make a convincing case against?

X
play audio version

Fireworks?

Should we use fireworks on New Year's Eve?

Improve debating skills
Easy
Guidance
Have your child pick a side and you can argue the other.
Prompts if stuck
1) What is your strongest point and can you make a "headline" from it?

Guidance

Take a side each. Arguments for - celebration, spirit, tradition. Arguments against - noise, air pollution, cost. Encourage your child to use facts and not opinions, using simple structure to their arguments, and anctipating and listening to the counter-arguments for flaws. Depending on how much you want to push back on their flaws, it is also a good opportunity to build their resilience.

Prompts if stuck

1) There is no right answer. What do you personally think?

2) Now, how can you make a convincing case for?

3) And how can you make a convincing case against?

Fireworks?

Should we use fireworks on New Year's Eve?

Improve debating skills
Easy

Guidance

Take a side each. Arguments for - celebration, spirit, tradition. Arguments against - noise, air pollution, cost. Encourage your child to use facts and not opinions, using simple structure to their arguments, and anctipating and listening to the counter-arguments for flaws. Depending on how much you want to push back on their flaws, it is also a good opportunity to build their resilience.

Prompts if stuck

1) There is no right answer. What do you personally think?

2) Now, how can you make a convincing case for?

3) And how can you make a convincing case against?

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