Demonstration Tips

Teaching Tip

Whenever possible do demonstrations with a colleague so that one person can be talking while the other is performing the demonstration or moving through the room.
Always check your equipment and supplies beforehand. Bring spares.
Allot sufficient time to set up and disassemble displays.
Be flexible in your demonstration plan. The audience may not be dressed appropriately for certain activities or may be limited in their ability to physically participate.
Do things sequentially. Coordinate the demonstration with handouts, transparencies or posters that illustrate what you’re doing.
Invite the group to stand up and surround the demonstration area so everyone can see.
If a volunteer is unable to do what you ask, change your approach, alter your pace or use different language. Make the volunteer feel at ease and reinforce his/her self-esteem by saying something like, “It takes a while to master this” or “As you continue with these techniques, you will notice vast improvement.”
Be prepared with a contingency plan in case a demonstration goes awry.
Practice talking and working at the same time.
Invite the group to stand up and surround the demonstration area so everyone can see.
Distribute sample practice items for the group to work with while you are demonstrating. For example, if you are showing people how to massage their pets, pass out stuffed animals that they can rub while you demonstrate.