how do you write a graduation speech for nursery

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Preschool Graduation Speech Ideas

It's the moment many teachers dread: Coming up with a preschool graduation speech .... (queue in horror film music here).  

Fears of being unprepared and stammering fill our heads, anxiety may set in and many think,

"I am NOT a public speaker!  I HATE public speaking!  I am a preschool teacher!  I LOVE teaching preschool!"

Take a breath.... really!  Remember your 'Why'...why you are planning preschool graduation ideas in the first place:  It is to celebrate the children and their year!  

Giving a preschool graduation speech is also an opportunity to publicly thank your families for sharing and entrusting their child(ren) with you.  

In addition, it is an opportunity to thank staff such as the director, co-teachers, support staff and volunteers.

As you are thinking of what to say, who to acknowledge and how long to take remember this one, important factor: This is not a keynote speech for college! Let's say it again:  It is a preschool graduation speech!

This is preschool!  Yes, your students may be going off to kindergarten or moving up to Prek, but, it is still preschool!   BE YOURSELF !  

That, after all, is why parents entrusted the children in your program's care to begin with!

Don't put pressure on yourself to be "formal"...instead.... put pressure on yourself to be "you"!  Or, in the words of Dr. Seuss:

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”

There....feel better?  This is a fun day and your preschool graduation speech ideas should keep that fact in mind! :)

Well, one more fact to keep in mind.  Because this is Preschool Graduation, that means the preschoolers are sitting there......waiting.......excited......nervous......poking their friend beside them!

And, they are.... brace yourself.... I KNOW you've worked all year on this.......but......get ready........

They are NOT LISTENING TO YOU when you give your speech!

Phew, there, I've said it!  So, this speech is not for them--even if you address the children in this preschool graduation speech (And no, I don't mean saying something like "And this year we have ALL learned to LISTEN WHEN SOMEONE ELSE IS TALKING, haven't we Cheryl?")

What I mean is that while you are presenting your speech they sometimes hear.... well, here is my point when it comes to preschoolers and speeches:

You KNOW that is what they are hearing!  When you are giving your preschool graduation speech, be sure to have 1 or 2 adults sitting with the children to redirect them during this time!  That's all I'm saying!  

There are many types of preschool graduation speeches.  You might give an actual speech, read a story or show a DVD of the children!  

As I said earlier, remember to just be you!  

Here are a few ideas for speeches.  

Feel free to use these and modify as you need to for your own program!    

A "Welcoming" Preschool Graduation Speech Idea

Preschool graduation speech idea #1 traditional speech.

written by me, Miss Cheryl, at Preschool Plan It

This is the typical speech or welcoming speech I give.  It includes a thank you and accolades to staff and introduces the stars:  The Preschoolers!

"Hi everyone!  Thank you so much for coming!  We are SO excited about today, aren't we boys and girls??!!!

Today is a very special day.  Today we celebrate YOUR children's life and times in preschool!  

It's hard for many of you to believe that the time has come for child or children.... your babies, are beginning kindergarten isn't it?

When your children first started preschool-there was much separation anxiety.  The beginning of a new school year is like that for children...and for parents!  

The beginning of the school year was a time of building trust with the children......and with you.  It was a time of building relationships together and creating a team with one shared goal:  Providing your children with what they needed to develop and grow as preschoolers.

That trust was built, relationships and teams create.  We moved through the year--as a team--growing and learning and building a foundation your children will bring with them to Kindergarten.

And now, it is very hard for US to believe your children are leaving us!  You have entrusted the most important thing in your lives to us--your child.  We can't tell you how much we appreciate that trust!  

We thank you for sharing your children with us.  We thank you for allowing us to be part of your family during this time.

And now, it is the end of the year.  It is time for your children to move on and, Guess what?  It is us.... the teachers...who have separation anxiety.  We will miss your children more than you know.  But, we smile through the goodbye tears because we are so grateful to have been part of their lives and your family during this time.

And, I want to thank the teachers today.  Thank you for your dedication to the children and their families. Thank you for your thoughtful planning and time invested in the lives of each and every one of these children! There was a poem written by Forest Witcraft that talks about teachers and it definitely applies to the teachers, support staff and volunteers here today:

One hundred years from now

It won't matter

What kind of car I drove

What kind of house I lived in

How much money I had in the bank

Nor what my cloths looked like

The world may be a little better

Because, I was important

In the life of a child.

And you were.  You were important to each and every one of these children.  Thank you.

And now, the children are very excited to get this party started, right?  Okay, let's hand over the program to the children!"

Here is when your children  might sing their songs or do their play they have been practicing!

Preschool Graduation Speech Idea #2 Laugh and Be All You Can Be

Here is another you can use and modify to meet your program's needs.  It is from StudyMode  

"We are here today for "ABC Preschool's Graduation Ceremony. This is a momentous occasion in the lives of all the children. 

It is also a time to recognize the outstanding work of the staff here and the parents of the students.

Just looking around, the happy smiling faces says so much about the environment here at ABC Preschool. Our children have learned so much. The school places great value on community, learning and fun.

I am proud of the way the children love coming here to school and look forward to what they learn. Seeing the big smiles on their faces in the morning is fantastic. They have learned to love learning and that skill will help them so much as they progress with their education.

Life is not just about learning to read and write. They are important, but just as important is love and friendship. 

This school places great emphasis on being part of the community. This is a lifelong skill which will help all of us flourish. 

It may seem slightly old-fashioned, but a sense of community to me is very important to the future of our nation and our children.

So, thank you to the other teachers here, the love you have for the children shines through in their results. Thank you to all the parents who have willingly given their time volunteering here, and who have raised such wonderful children!

Looking ahead, our children are very well-equipped to take on the next part of their educational lives. They have strong foundations and we feel very confident that we have given the children a great start in life. They have learned many priceless lessons. 

So, children: Take on challenges, be loving, love learning, be part of the community, laugh and be all you can be. 

Thank you."

Preschool Graduation Speech Idea #3: We Give You Child Back Now

This preschool graduation speech is called We Give Your Child Back Now (author unknown)

Dear Parents,

We give you back your child, the same child you confidently entrusted to our care last fall. We give him back pounds heavier, inches taller, months wiser, more responsible, and more mature then he was then.

Although she would have attained her growth despite us, it has been our pleasure and privilege to watch her personality unfold day by day and marvel at this splendid miracle of development.

I give him back reluctantly, for having spent nine months together in the narrow confines of a crowded classroom, we have grown close, have become a part of each other, and we shall always retain a little of each other.

We have lived, loved, laughed, played, studied, learned, and enriched our lives together this year. I wish it could go on indefinitely, but give him back we must. Take care of him, for he is precious.

Remember that we shall always be interested in your child and his destiny, wherever he goes, whatever he does, whoever he becomes. His joys and sorrows we will always be happy to share.

Preschool Graduation Speech Idea #4: Read a Story INSTEAD of A Preschool Graduation Speech!

Yes!  Have the children gather on the floor in front of you, like a final Circle Time or Story Time!  Wear a microphone so the families can hear it as well.

A perennial favorite, Dr. Seuss’s wonderfully wise graduation speech is the perfect send-off for children starting out in the world, be they nursery school, high school, or college grads!

From soaring to high heights and seeing great sights to being left in a Lurch on a prickle-ly perch, Dr. Seuss addresses life’s ups and downs with his trademark humorous verse and illustrations, while encouraging readers to find the success that lies within.

In a starred review, Booklist notes: “Seuss’s message is simple but never sappy: life may be a ‘Great Balancing Act,’ but through it all ‘There’s fun to be done.’”

Preschool Graduation Speech Idea #5: Growing Up

For a few weeks before graduation, talk with your preschoolers about one of their favorite things or memories about preschool!  Write them down.

Examples:  

• Cheryl remembers the day we brought snow inside to play with.
• Joey remembers being Superman with John and how they saved the dolls from the bad guy.
• Give each youngster an opportunity to share one fond memory of this school year and one hope for the coming year. Be sure to write down one of your own as well!

Preschool Graduation Speech #6: Moving On

Here's another story instead of a speech idea!  Again, w ear a microphone so the families can hear it as well.

In this adorable story, the young crab is growing up.  It outgrows its home (shell) and moves into another one.  After reading the story, tell the children and families, the children have much in common with the crab:

They are also growing up!  They are moving on.... into a new phase of school--kindergarten (or Prek), though we will remember the fun we had in preschool!

At this point, use the information you gathered over the past few weeks about each child's favorite memory of preschool!  Have each child stand up and share their favorite memory or you can share it for them!

Preschool Graduation Speech Idea #7: Our Year in Review: A DVD Viewing

In lieu of a long preschool graduation speech, show a DVD montauge of the children's year.

This was a hit every single year!  It was started by my mentor, Miss Peggy and I continued the tradition!

Give a short speech, thanking the parents and staff and then show the DVD in lieu of your speech!

Say something like:

"Welcome to your children's preschool graduation ceremony!  We thank you so much for sharing your children with us and entrusting them to us.  They have learned and grown so much during this time!

The children have a few surprises for you!  They want to ___________ (sing a few songs, fingerplays, act out a play---fill in the blank for your program details).  But first, we have a surprise for you!

Rather than tell you what your children have done all year, we want to show you and reminisce with you! Enjoy!"

Invite the children to come sit down near the front so they can see also!

Play the DVD!

Creating the DVD in lieu of a preschool graduation speech for the above idea:

This takes some time but is WORTH it!  If you begin saving digital pictures of the children at the beginning of the year, the process is quicker!  If you are putting it together later in the year, it will just take more time to go through your photos!

Here are the steps.  (numbered)

1. Choose 1 photo of each child where JUST THAT CHILD is in the photo.  Use your software (I use Microsoft Paint or PowerPoint) to place their first name on the photo.

2. Choose 4-5 more pictures of EACH child.  Have 3-4 of these photos showing the child participating in a small or large group activity.  Have 1-2 more individual photos of that child (perhaps of them reading a book, painting, playing outside, etc.).

3. Upload the photos into a DVD maker program.  There is probably one on your computer that you didn't even know about! ;)  I use Windows Live Movie Maker.

4. Be sure the individual children's photos are the first ones in the program!

5. Create an introduction frame in the program such as "ABC Preschool Class of 20XX".

6. Choose 2 songs to play as background and upload them.

We have used 1 song that is sure to make the parents weep.... yes, that IS our goal! And one song that was a favorite in the classroom this year.

Children and adults alike laugh and giggle and LOVE this DVD.

If you are able, make copies for each family as a gift!  

I recently had two different parents message me on the Preschool Plan It Facebook page  (be sure to head over and like that page, by the way!), to tell me they just watched their preschool DVD and were thinking of us (and these children graduated preschool 5 years ago)!

Preschool Graduation Speech Idea #8: Speeches from the Preschoolers!

Preschool Graduation Speeches by...... The Preschoolers?  Why not?!

I have heard of some programs scheduling time for speeches from their preschoolers.  This can be difficult it is a huge, public "TELL" portion of a Show and Tell.  It can be nerve-wracking for them.  But, it can also be fun if brief and a fun question!

You just never know what they will say!  Once idea would be to ask the children what they want to be when they grow up!  Don't wait until graduation day to spring this question on them!  Give them time to think about it.  Ask it a few times in the weeks before graduation.

Here is an example of one that was found on YouTube (not my program) that I think is so adorable!

Ending Your Preschool Graduation Speech

At the end of the program you might give another, VERY BRIEF, closing speech.  Keep it more like an announcement at this point!  The children are excited and want to be with their families now!

"This concludes our Preschool Graduation Ceremony!  Please, please join us for refreshments and hugs in the _________ (list the place).  Thank you again for sharing your children with us!

I hope you enjoyed these preschool graduation speech ideas and they have helped you get started on your decision for preschool graduation day!  Do you have one or more speech or speech related idea you'd like to share?

More Preschool Graduation Ideas

Here are several more of my pages and articles to help you plan your Preschool Graduation that you might find helpful!

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Graduation Speech for Nursery Pupils [With Examples]

Henry Divine Leave a comment

Table of Contents

What is a Graduation Speech?

A graduation speech is a speech given at a graduation ceremony. It is often given by a notable guest speaker or a member of the graduating class.

The purpose of a graduation speech is to inspire the graduates as they move on to the next phase of their lives.

If a member of the graduating class is the one giving the graduation speech, they may reflect on the following three things:

• accomplishments of the class,
• the challenges they have faced,
• and the lessons they have learned.

A graduation speech may also touch on the importance of education and the value of hard work. The speaker may also remind the graduates that they have the potential to make a positive impact in the world.

A graduation ceremony is not complete without a graduation speech. It is a very important part of the ceremony as it provides a sense of closure for the graduating class. More so, it sets the tone for the future.

Therefore, a graduation speech should be uplifting, inspiring and thought-provoking. And should leave the graduates with a sense of hope and a renewed sense of purpose as they embark on their next journey.

Read Also: Convocation Wishes, Messages and Prayers

Types of Graduation Speech

Depending on the needs and demands of the ceremony, there are several types of graduation speeches that can be given. They include:

• Inspirational speeches
• Commencement speeches
• Farewell speeches
• Thank you speeches
• Reflective speeches
• Humorous speeches
• Valedictorian speeches

Inspirational speeches aim to motivate the graduating class to pursue their dreams and achieve their goals.

Commencement speeches are formal speeches that are usually given by a prominent figure or guest speaker at a graduation ceremony.

Farewell speeches are typically given by a member of the graduating class who are leaving the school.

Thank you speeches aim at expressing gratitude to parents, teachers and others who have supported the graduating class throughout their academic journey.

Reflective speeches encourage graduates to reflect on their experiences and lessons learned during their time in school.

Humorous speeches aim to lighten the mood and inject some humor into the graduation ceremony.

Valedictorian speeches are given by the highest-ranking student in the graduating class. In the speech, they highlight their accomplishments and share words of wisdom with their classmates.

Read Also: Grade-1 Scheme of Work

How to Write a Graduation Speech

It’s a great honor to be chosen to give a graduation speech, but it is also be a very daunting task.

This section will guide you on how to come up with a good graduation speech that would make a lasting impression on your audience.

Here’s how to write a good graduation speech:

Start with a strong opening

Begin your speech with a captivating opening that catches your audience’s attention. You can start with a quote or a personal anecdote. Otherwise, you may use a humorous story that relates to the occasion.

Reflect on the past

Take some time to reflect on your experiences as a student in the school. Highlight some of the challenges and lessons you have learned over the years. Also acknowledge and thank the people who have helped you along the way, such as teachers, family and friends.

This is very important and would highly enrich your speech while reassuring the people that you do not take their contributions for granted.

Offer advice

You must realize that graduation is a time of transition. And at such a time, your fellow graduates are likely feeling a mix of excitement and uncertainty about the future. So you need to offer some words of wisdom and encouragement to help them navigate the next phase of their lives.

You can share your own personal experiences and what has worked for you.

Keep it concise

Remember that you will be speaking in front of a large audience and you may not have their attention for too long. So it’s important to keep your speech concise and to the point. Stick to the main points and avoid repetitions or going off on tangents.

End on a high note

Just like you started your speech with a strong opening, you need to close it speech with a strong and memorable ending. Your speech should end in way that leaves the audience feeling inspired and motivated. You can end with a quote, a call to action or a personal reflection.

Remember to practice your speech several times before the graduation ceremony. This will help you feel more confident and prepared when the time comes to deliver it.

Graduation Speech for Nursery Pupils

A graduation speech for nursery pupils is a speech given by a teacher or school administrator to mark the end of the nursery school year and to congratulate the pupils on their accomplishments.

Nursery pupils are typically between the ages of 3 – 5 years old and are transitioning into primary school. So the speech aims to inspire and encourage them as they move on to the next phase of their education.

It may also highlight the progress and achievements of the pupils during their time in nursery school. More so, the speech may acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the teachers and parents who have supported the pupils all through.

Ultimately, the speech serves as a way to celebrate the pupils and their journey in nursery school and to wish them well as they continue their educational journey.

Examples of a Graduation Speech for Nursery Pupils

A graduation speech for nursery pupils should be fun, engaging and inspirational. Here are some examples:

Graduation Speech for Nursery Pupils [Example 1]

Dear Nursery Pupils,

Today is a special day, as we celebrate your graduation from nursery school. You have come a long way since the first day you stepped into this classroom and I am so proud of every one of you.

As you move on to the next phase of your education, I want to remind you of a few important things. First, always remember to have fun! Learning should be an enjoyable experience, and you should never lose your sense of curiosity and wonder.

Second, don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. There will be times when you struggle with a concept or task, but that’s okay. The important thing is to keep trying and to seek guidance from your teachers, friends and family.

Finally, I want to encourage you to dream big. You are capable of achieving great things and I have no doubt that you will go on to do amazing things in your lives. Follow your passions, work hard and never give up on your goals.

So, congratulations to the nursery graduates of [Name of School]. You are all stars and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for every one of you. Thank you for making my time as your teacher so special, and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Graduation Speech for Nursery Pupils [Example 2]

Today marks a very special day in your young lives. You are graduating from nursery school and taking the first step towards a bright future. I am so proud of each and every one of you and I am honored to be standing here today to celebrate your achievements.

In your time at nursery school, you have learned so much. You have learned how to count, how to write your name and how to share with others. You have made new friends, learned to work together and developed important skills that will serve you well throughout your academic journey.

As you move forward, remember to always be curious and ask questions. Don’t be afraid to try new things and always do your best. Remember that mistakes are a natural part of learning and growth. If you make a mistake, just pick yourself up and try again.

I want you to know that your teachers, parents and loved ones are all proud of you today. We can’t wait to see what you will achieve in the future. Always remember that you are capable of achieving anything you set your mind to. Believe in yourself and your abilities.

So, as you leave nursery school and embark on the next phase of your academic journey, I wish you all the best. Congratulations, and good luck!

A graduation speech for nursery pupils should be fun, engaging and inspirational. It should start with a strong opening, reflect on the past, offer advice and also end on a high note.

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Kindergarten Graduation Speech - Well Done To One And All

A kindergarten graduation speech marks an amazing and special milestone!

You're looking out over a sea of faces in your audience - proud mums, dads, grandparents, family and friends - and indeed they have every right to be proud.

There is something special about a kindergarten graduation ceremony - innocence retained, journeys begun and dreams waiting to be achieved.

A graduation speech needs to pay tribute to each and every child - all so special in their own way.

We hope our free sample speech will get your creative thought processes going and we have no doubt that you'll add a bit, maybe delete a bit - either way - you are going to say it just right!

Good Afternoon Ladies, Gentlemen and of course, most importantly, the girls and boys who are graduating from kindergarten today - this is indeed a very special day!

I am very aware that today is about the children and as such, my speech is largely aimed at the special young people sitting on stage today. Don't they look fantastic? I think they deserves a round of applause before we even begin! Today is all about you girls and boys. I know it is difficult to sit still for a long time - so I promise that I'll try and keep my speech as short as possible.

Stacia Tauscher said, "We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today." 

As parents and teachers we do put a lot of time and energy into preparing our children for their futures. And rightly so. We do indeed need to equip our children with life-long skills to prepare them for adulthood. It is our collective responsibility as we guide and mold the leaders of tomorrow -  for it is on them that the future will have to depend.

Today, as we pay tribute to the young ladies and gentlemen of tomorrow, we know that they have started their remarkable journey towards achieving this goal. This year has seen them grow and develop exponentially. They have learned so much. They have remained eager and enthusiastic and they have grown in so many ways. Our thanks and appreciation to all the teachers and the parents for the fantastic role that you have all played to facilitate this process.

Now, girls and boys...I need to tell you how very proud we are of you today.

You are all incredibly special people today, right now,  as you sit here in front of us. You have all worked very hard to learn more every day, you have played hard, you have made new friends and you have all tried to be a good friend too. Well done and congratulations to each and everyone of you - you can feel very proud of all you have done this year.

Our young children will move into a new year - a year with new challenges to deal with. As they move into their respective tomorrows so bright with goals already achieved and more dreams still to aspire to, we say to them...

Enjoy being four today with all your heart and soul... and worry less about preparing to be five.

Hold onto your uncanny gift of finding everything in nothing, of not only seeing seven wonders in the world - but several thousand.

"Work hard and play straight" and may you stay...in your spirit and soul...

Forever young!

In your kindergarten graduation speech pay tribute to our children - "they are the message that we send to future that we will not see" - John W. Whitehead

Return from Kindergarten Graduation Speech to Words of Wisdom Free Graduation Speeches and Words of Wisdom that Inspire

How to Write and Deliver a Memorable Graduation Speech: Tips, Examples, and Techniques

• The Speaker Lab
• March 7, 2024

Table of Contents

The goal of any graduation speech is to find words that capture the essence of years spent learning and growing. Today, we’ll guide you through that process and help you craft a memorable graduation speech . You’ll learn to weave gratitude with shared experiences, and balance humor with wisdom. We’ll even help you find quotes that strike a chord and deliver them in a way that resonates.

But that’s not all! Dive into proven strategies for public speaking, managing stage fright, and drawing inspiration from iconic commencement speeches. Discover how personal growth stories add depth to your message and explore themes that leave a lasting impact on your peers as they step forward into new beginnings.

Crafting Your Graduation Speech: A Step-by-Step Guide

When it comes to marking the end of your high school or university journey, a graduation speech can capture the essence of this pivotal moment. But how do you start such an important address?

Opening with Impact

The first words of your graduation speech are crucial. They set the stage for what’s to come and grab your audience’s attention. Think about starting strong by sharing a personal anecdote that ties into the broader experience of your class or drawing from Steve Jobs’ Stanford University commencement speech , where he began with, “Today I want to tell you three stories from my life.” This technique instantly piques interest because it promises narratives that have shaped who you are.

An impactful opening also acknowledges shared experiences. Perhaps you could reflect on how moments in classrooms turned strangers into lifelong friends. Or for university commencements, consider touching upon those late-night study sessions that tested perseverance but ultimately led to academic achievements worth celebrating today.

Building the Body of Your Graduation Speech

In crafting the body content, intertwine lessons learned throughout high school years or during university courses with aspirations for what lies ahead. For instance, share how overcoming obstacles like balancing extracurricular activities and academics taught valuable time management skills.

To add depth, incorporate quotes from luminaries like Oprah Winfrey or draw parallels between classroom learnings and real-world applications. Dive deeper by discussing milestones achieved together as a graduating class and recognizing the hard work everyone put in to make it to this monumental occasion.

Concluding with Inspiration

Your conclusion should leave fellow graduates feeling inspired while helping them celebrate high school memories one last time—or honor those unforgettable college years if addressing higher education grads.

Closing remarks could include heartfelt gratitude towards teachers’ support and parental guidance. You might even crack a joke or two. It’s these personalized touches paired with universal truths that resonate most deeply as students step forward into new chapters post-graduation.

Find Out Exactly How Much You Could Make As a Paid Speaker

Use The Official Speaker Fee Calculator to tell you what you should charge for your first (or next) speaking gig — virtual or in-person! 

Delivery Techniques for Confident Speaking

Standing in front of a crowd can turn even the most composed student into a bundle of nerves. But fear not, with some smart strategies, you’ll be able to channel your inner orator and deliver your graduation speech with confidence.

Practicing Your Graduation Speech

Becoming familiar with every word of your speech is key. Rehearse it out loud until the words feel like second nature. This practice does more than just help you remember what comes next; it lets you find the natural rhythm and pace of your delivery. Consider recording yourself to catch any quirks or stumbling blocks—you might be surprised at how much this helps refine your presentation.

A trick often overlooked is practicing in different environments. If possible, stand on the actual stage where you will deliver your commencement address. Familiarity breeds comfort, making that once daunting podium seem like an old friend when graduation day arrives.

Overcoming Nervousness and Stage Fright

Nervousness is normal but doesn’t let it dictate your performance. Before stepping up to speak, take deep breaths to steady yourself—a calm body encourages a calm mind. An effective method for easing anxiety is visualization. Imagine delivering each line perfectly and receiving an enthusiastic response from listeners—envisioning success can make it so.

Maintaining Eye Contact

The power of eye contact cannot be overstated. It connects speaker and listener on a personal level that amplifies engagement significantly. Scan across different sections of the audience periodically without lingering too long on any one individual.

Incorporate these techniques diligently when preparing for the big day. In doing so, they become part of muscle memory and help build confidence. With confidence and plenty of practice on your side, your graduation speech is sure to conclude to applause leaving you to celebrate yet another milestone achieved.

Analyzing Renowned Graduation Speeches for Inspiration

When crafting a commencement speech, it’s often helpful to look at the giants whose words have echoed through auditoriums and across campuses. Steve Jobs’ Stanford University Commencement Speech is a classic example of weaving life lessons into an address that connects deeply with graduates. Similarly, Oprah Winfrey’s Harvard University Commencement Address showed how stumbling blocks can become stepping stones if we learn from them.

Steve Jobs’ Storytelling Mastery

Jobs had a knack for turning personal anecdotes into universal truths. In his Stanford address, he shared three stories from his own life without sounding self-indulgent. These stories worked because each one carried a broader message relevant to every graduate: finding what you love, dealing with loss, and facing death head-on. Jobs famously urged students to “stay hungry, stay foolish,” encouraging them not just to pursue success but remain curious about life despite challenges. This advice is especially poignant for today’s graduating class.

Like Jobs, you too can craft narratives around moments that speak volumes about perseverance and passion.

Oprah’s Unflinching Honesty

Much like her television persona suggests, Oprah did not shy away from discussing her setbacks in front of Harvard’s graduating class. Instead, she confidently laid bare the challenges faced by anyone who dares greatly because failure is part of achieving greatness. As she reminded students, “It doesn’t matter how far you might rise… At some point you are bound to stumble.”

In doing so she forged an instant connection with listeners grappling with their fears about what the future holds post-graduation. It was a powerful reminder that even icons like Oprah are not immune to trials but emerge stronger through them.

The power behind these speeches lies not just in their content but also in their delivery. These speakers mastered the art of speaking confidently before crowds, maintaining eye contact, and conveying authenticity—techniques any speaker should aspire to replicate on graduation day.

Themes and Messages That Resonate with Graduates

Facing a sea of caps and gowns, the right words can turn a graduation ceremony from mundane to memorable. When crafting your commencement speech, focusing on themes like overcoming obstacles and perseverance connects deeply with graduates who have hurdled high school or college challenges.

Overcoming Obstacles

Talking about stumbling blocks is not just relatable; it’s inspirational. Think Steve Jobs at Stanford University or Oprah Winfrey at Harvard—both shared personal tales of setbacks turned into comebacks. Beyond simply telling their stories, they showed how those hurdles were stepping stones to success.

Weave your narrative around the potholes you’ve navigated during your high school years. This doesn’t mean airing every bit of dirty laundry, just highlighting that one significant moment where everything seemed against you yet failed to defeat you.

The Power of Perseverance

Perseverance is more than sticking to something—it’s pushing forward when every fiber wants to quit. It resonates because everyone, including your fellow graduates, has felt that urge to give up but chose to persevere instead.

Incorporate this theme by using vivid examples that mirror collective experiences—the all-nighters before exams or balancing sports stars ambitions with academics—to illustrate perseverance isn’t just an idea but lived reality for many students.

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Life Lessons Shared During Graduation Speeches

In addition to sharing content that fellow graduates will find relatable and inspirational, you should also consider sharing life lessons with your audience. Whether young or old, everyone has a unique perspective on life and sharing your wisdom can steer graduates toward a fulfilling path.

The Power of Kindness

Making a positive impact doesn’t require grand gestures; sometimes it’s found in small acts of kindness or an innovative idea that simplifies lives. This message sticks because everyone wants their work to mean something—to know they’ve left footprints on society’s vast canvas.

True Grit and Tenacity

Embracing failure and resilience is another powerful theme echoed by commencement speakers across podiums. Let’s face it; not all endeavors lead straight to success. But as Oprah Winfrey once said during her Harvard University commencement address, “It doesn’t matter how far you might rise… At some point, you are bound to stumble.” Her words remind us: How we pick ourselves up matters more than how we fall.

Making a Positive Impact

A graduating class stands poised on tomorrow’s threshold ready to mold history—and speeches should fuel this transformative fire within them. Memorable graduation speeches show individuals that ovation-worthy achievements are possible if you believe your actions count.

As you prepare your graduation speech, consider including one of these life lessons or one of your own. Don’t be afraid to share your hard-won insights to your fellow graduates—you just might inspire them to make history.

Celebrating Achievements and Acknowledging Contributions

Graduation is not just a ceremony. It’s a tribute to the academic achievements and extracurricular activities that have shaped students into who they are. The acknowledgment of teacher support and parental guidance also plays a pivotal role in these speeches, as they’re the scaffolding upon which student successes are built.

Academic Achievements, Extracurricular Activities

Acknowledging academic prowess goes beyond GPA scores or honor societies; it’s about highlighting unique intellectual journeys. Similarly, shining a light on extracurricular triumphs—be it sports stars setting records or artists winning competitions—adds depth to your speech. Remembering these moments isn’t merely recounting victories but celebrating the relentless spirit of your fellow graduates.

Diving deeper into personal anecdotes helps you connect with peers by reminding them of their growth through challenges faced together—from late-night study sessions to championship games. It’s these stories that make graduation memories stick with classmates long after commencement ends.

Teacher Support, Parental Guidance

The unsung heroes behind every graduate deserve their moment in your address too. Teachers’ dedication can turn classrooms into launch pads for dreams, while parents’ unwavering belief often fuels aspirations during tumultuous times like the pandemic.

In weaving tales of mentorship from teachers or wisdom imparted by parents, you remind everyone that success is rarely a solo act—it’s supported by many hands and hearts along the way. Celebrate this collective effort because each person has contributed uniquely to shaping graduating classes across America, including yours.

Common Issues in Writing and Delivering Graduation Speeches

Staring at a blank page as the clock ticks down to graduation day can rattle even the most seasoned speech writers. Overcoming writer’s block is about finding your message stick—the core idea that you want to leave with your peers. Remember, this isn’t just any talk; it’s one that marks a significant transition for both you and your audience.

Overcoming Writer’s Block

Finding yourself stumped on how to write a speech ? Don’t sweat it. Start by jotting down memories from school years or powerful life lessons that resonate. Think of Steve Jobs’ Stanford University commencement speech where he shared personal stories, which became an inspirational backbone for many other speeches.

If inspiration doesn’t strike immediately, step away from the computer. Take a walk and reflect on high school experiences or browse through commencement speeches archives—like Lin-Manuel Miranda’s address at the University of Pennsylvania. They might spark ideas you hadn’t considered yet.

Navigating Technical Troubles

A great speech can stumble over technical hiccups. To avoid glitches, check all equipment beforehand—a simple but crucial task often overlooked due to nerves or excitement about graduating class celebrations.

Prior rehearsals will also let you handle these issues like a pro should they pop up during delivery. Make sure any videos or slides complement rather than overshadow what you’re saying. After all, graduates aren’t there for bells and whistles—they’re there for meaningful words.

Handling Stage Fright

Your knees may shake thinking delivering in front of proud parents and peers—it’s no small feat, after all. Before you step on stage, visual your success until it feels more real and attainable.

And don’t forget to watch your body language. During your speech, maintain eye contact—not stare-downs—to connect genuinely with fellow students. And if anxiety creeps up despite practice sessions? Take deep breaths to steady yourself and keep going. You’ve handled high school—you can handle this.

FAQs on Writing and Delivering a Graduation Speech

What do i say in my graduation speech.

Share heartfelt stories, acknowledge support from others, and inspire your classmates to chase their dreams boldly.

How do you write a 3 minute graduation speech?

Keep it tight: hit the high notes with gratitude, shared memories, a dash of humor, and wrap up with punchy inspiration.

How do I start a graduation speech?

Kick off with thanks. Give props to family and mentors. Set the stage for reflecting on past adventures together.

What is the most important message of a graduation speech?

The core should spark hope—urge peers to leap into tomorrow equipped with lessons learned during these formative years.

Master your moment with a graduation speech that turns heads and warms hearts. Remember the power of gratitude and connect with your audience through stories, those shared adventures that bind you to your classmates. Don’t be afraid to add a few jokes and quotes to your speech either, as well as personal growth stories to inspire.

When you hit the stage, stand tall, make eye contact, and speak from your heart—the podium’s yours. If butterflies invade, breathe deep and know everyone’s rooting for you. Writer’s block didn’t stop you and neither will this.

Your graduation speech is not just words—it’s a battle cry for your graduating class as you prepare to conquer what lies ahead!

• Last Updated: March 5, 2024

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Messes Can Always Be Cleaned Up — A Preschool Graduation Commencement Address

Graduates, we gather today to celebrate your years of hard work and dedication. It was a long road that got you here, to this moment, and no, you cannot hit one another with your hats.

Graduation means you’ve made it through preschool, and in just a couple months, you’ll be real kindergartners. You’ll face many challenges, perhaps some setbacks. You’ll need resilience and grit to succeed in elementary school, but you’ve all got what it takes.

Some of the biggest lessons you’ll learn in school will be in the cafeteria and on the playground, not in your classrooms. I’m not talking about things like don’t buy lunch on sloppy joe day, or that when it’s sunny outside the handles on the monkey bars get really hot, although those are obviously important things to know. What I mean is that you’ll learn a lot from other children, and if they’re lucky, they’ll learn from you too.

On the first day of school, find the kid who’s sitting by himself in the lunchroom. Look for the little girl who’s crying for her mom in the mornings. See the student who’s standing alone on the playground while the other kids play zombies vs. werewolves. Be their friend. Sit down next to them, tell them it’s going to be okay, then reach out your hand and ask them if they want to play with you. Tell your friends to do the same thing.

You’ll need to stand up for people. If you see someone being mean, stop them. Tell them we don’t treat each other that way because it’s way more fun when we can all play and be friends. The world needs people who stop others from being mean. You can be those people! Make that your job right now. You are the ones who make everyone be nice.

Always remember that the coolest kids are the ones who are different. How neat is it that no one looks alike, sounds alike, or even thinks alike? If another boy or girl is interested in something you think is a little weird, or maybe even kind of scary, be brave and ask them about it. Get excited with them. Make sure you always take the time to learn about new things and people with different lives than yours. It’s actually really fun to be friends with people who aren’t exactly like us.

You can be different too. You don’t have to wear the same clothes, eat the same foods, or enjoy the same movies, TV shows, or characters as everybody else. We all get to like our own stuff. Even better? We can all look however we want. Check it out: We’ve got a body and a life, and we can do so many fun things with them. We can be whatever we want!

Be a helper. The world needs helpers right now, and it doesn’t matter that you’re only 5 or 6. Children can help too. You guys matter, and you can make a difference. If someone falls and skins their knee, go over and make sure they’re okay. When a friend can’t carry his heavy backpack, go over and give a hand. Wipe down the board for your teacher. If another child is sad, ask her if she needs a hug, and share a toy or a book. Tell her you care about her. Doing stuff like that is a much bigger deal than making it to the third-grade reading group way ahead of schedule — trust me.

You don’t have to decide what you want to be when you grow up right now. Don’t worry about that. Grownups will ask you what you want to be all the time, but that’s because they can’t think of anything else to say to children. You shouldn’t be thinking about a job you might have in 16 years. Your work right now is to play. It’s to explore and build things and take things apart just so you can see exactly how they’re put together. Mess with things. Make up stories and act them out. Have adventures.

When you are a grownup, you might have to wear a uniform or a suit. You might have to cut your hair a certain way, or you might not be able to get away with wearing a tiara on an everyday basis. Wear silly costumes now. Play dress up. Put on wacky leggings with light-up shoes and a top covered in glitter. Top the whole thing off with a unicorn horn and a rainbow crown. It’s okay to dress as wild as you want . Have fun with that.

Guess what else you should have fun with? Creating. You don’t have to make a brown horse if you think it would be cooler in sparkle aqua. Make all kinds of things — real life things that we can hold and touch and turn upside down. Get out the glue, the stapler, the scissors (ask your parents first), and go to town. Build stuff.

You’re going to learn to read and to write. You’ll do math problems and learn about Colonial times. Some of you may take a little longer to get it than others, but that doesn’t matter. In just a few years, your brains will be filled with facts. You’ll learn all sorts of new skills. It’s going to happen, so think of school as an adventure you get to go on every day, and try not to be too hard on yourselves.

We grownups don’t expect you to be perfect. If you mess up, or make a mistake, or even get into a little trouble, understand that is how you’ll learn and keep learning. You know how if you make a big mess, if you work together you can always get it all cleaned up? Well, life is like that too. Messes can always be cleaned up. Most of the time you’ll get another turn. If you don’t get the part you wanted in the class play, be super happy for the student who did, and know that your time will come too. We all get disappointed, and we all get a chance to shine.

Good luck, graduating preschoolers! We are so very proud of each and every one of you.

This article was originally published on June 9, 2017

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Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

Graduation Speech [20 Examples + Template]

Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.

Being selected as a commencement speaker is a great recognition, but the responsibility can be intimidating. How do you know what kind of message will hit home for the graduates at this point in their lives? How do you make your message stand out from other words of wisdom that the graduating class has heard before?

Fortunately, there are many incredible graduation speeches from which you can pull information. We’ve gathered 15 of the best graduation speech examples here to make your research and brainstorming process easier. A little studying can give you ideas for the perfect graduation speech topic and help you write your speech efficiently.

In this article:

Graduation Speech Examples

Graduation speech template.

Take note of the flow and structure of the examples, and let them guide you in creating your own graduation speech outline. Remember to practice your speech and memorize the bulk of it so you’re able to deliver with confidence. With a strong theme and plenty of practice, you’re sure to gain the audience’s attention and leave them inspired.

Here are 15 free graduation speech examples to gain inspiration from. If you like a style or message of a sample speech, use it as a model to create your own original version.

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1. Funny Valedictorian Speech

This valedictorian entertains the audience of his high school graduation speech with subtle, kind-hearted jokes that reflect the graduating class and the school faculty. The graduation speaker has a sentimental theme to his speech, but his light humor ensures that the presentation is both meaningful and memorable.

“You see, this is not goodbye. This is see you in two to 10 years when I’m significantly smarter, wealthier, funnier, and more handsome than I am right now.”

2. College Graduation Speech Example: Conan O’Brien at Dartmouth College

You don’t have to be a famous comedian to deliver a funny graduation speech, but let Conan O’Brien’s speech at Dartmouth College serve as a good model to create your own. Intertwining life advice and great jokes, O’Brien inspires graduates to get past failure and pave their own paths.

“Today I tell you that whether you fear it or not, disappointment will come. The beauty is that through disappointment, you can gain clarity, and with clarity comes conviction and true originality.”

3. Preschool Graduation Speech

This preschool graduation speech is a great example for teachers who need to give a commencement address. A speech for a preschool or kindergarten graduation is different, in that the speaker is mostly communicating to the parents of the graduates. This preschool teacher delivers a meaningful speech that explains the joy in her job, while touching on the humorous things the students have said over the months.

“Tomorrow I give you back your child, the same child you entrusted in my care last fall, except now I give them back to you pounds heavier, inches taller… I give them back to you a little smarter, a little more mature, and a little more responsible than they were 10 months ago.”

4. David Foster Wallace Kenyon College Commencement Speech

In what is recognized as one of the best graduation speeches of all time, David Foster Wallace affirms to a class of liberal arts students that their education taught them how to think and how to be self-aware.

“The only thing that’s capital-T True is that you get to decide how you’re gonna try to see it. This, I submit, is the freedom of a real education, of learning how to be well-adjusted. You get to consciously decide what has meaning and what doesn’t. You get to decide what to worship.”

5. Middle School Graduation Speech

A class president delivers a heartwarming message in a storytelling format at his middle school graduation ceremony.

“Once upon a time, three long years ago, a journey began. We were obedient little munchkins, climbing up stairs meant for giants, carrying heavy backpacks filled with every sort of colored pencil existing on this earth.”

6. University of Wisconsin-Madison Commencement Speech 2017

Steven Levitan, creator of the award-winning show “Modern Family,” was the commencement speaker at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for the graduating class of 2017. This is a good example to follow if you’re an alum of the college you’re presenting to.

“It’s hard to believe I graduated here 33 years ago. I still have the official university photo of me receiving my diploma wearing only shorts under my cap and gown and holding a big bottle of champagne, as if to say, ‘Hey world, lower your expectations.'”

7. Mark Zuckerberg’s Harvard University Commencement Speech

Successful people are often chosen as commencement speakers for university graduation ceremonies. See how the CEO and founder of Facebook is able to portray humility in relating to the 2017 graduating class at Harvard University.

“I’m honored to be with you today because, let’s face it, you accomplished something I never could. If I get through this speech, it’ll be the first time I actually finish something at Harvard. Class of 2017, congratulations!”

8. Al Roker’s Commencement Speech at Champlain College

Upon receiving his doctorate degree of humane letters, the “Today Show” weather anchor delivered an inspirational speech to the graduating class. Roker speaks to the class’s generation and relates his graduation speech topic back to his own upbringing.

“Be in the moment. Stop living through your screen. Experience it now.”

9. Steve Jobs’ Commencement Speech at Stanford University

The Apple CEO’s commencement speech at 2005 to the graduating class at Stanford University is one of the classics. Jobs tells stories about his own experiences with dropping out of college, being fired from Apple, and being diagnosed with cancer.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of the other opinion drown out your own inner voice. And, most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.”

10. Elementary School Graduation Speech

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVOQVsbkmbM

This fifth-grade class speaker relates her teacher’s message to a lesson from her grandfather as her opening hook .

“To survive the fifth grade is not barely making it through. Instead, to survive means to perform with distinction.

11. Ellen Degeneres Commencement Speech at Tulane University

The famous talk show host and comedian Ellen Degeneres’s commencement speech at Tulane University is a great example of how a guest speaker can identify with her audience.

“It was so important for me to lose everything because I found what the most important thing is. The most important thing is to be true to yourself.”

12. University of Texas at Austin 2014 Commencement Address

Rear Admiral William H. McRaven aims to inspire his audience right from the beginning. The rear admiral encourages the graduating class to change the world, relating everyday life struggles to those of the people in the military.

“If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.”

13. Matthew McConaughey Commencement Speech

Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey drew from his own personal story to deliver an inspirational commencement speech at the University of Houston. McConaughey gives the graduating class 13 life lessons, including to define success for yourself and find joy in your work.

“Prioritize who you are and who you want to be. Don’t spend time with anything that antagonizes your character.”

14. Commencement Address by Jim Carrey

In his commencement address at Maharishi University of Management, actor Jim Carrey tells an emotional personal story. Carrey uses emotion to encourage the graduating class to walk their own path and never settle in life.

“Your need for acceptance can make you invisible in this world. Don’t let anything stand in the way of the light that shines through this form. Risk being seen in all of your glory.”

15. Stephen Colbert’s Commencement Speech at Wake Forest University

The famous comedian delivers a witty and funny graduation speech, offering students practical advice for the real world.

“And if there’s one thing you need even more, it’s your own set of standards. It may seem counterintuitive now, but once you leave here, you may miss being graded on all your work. Because when you’re out of school, there are no objective criteria for achievement anymore.”

16. Inspiring Graduation Speech

In this remarkable graduation speech, the class valedictorian makes a political statement by publicly revealing her status as an undocumented immigrant. The speech starts out with jokes, but turns into a moving performance that’s as powerful as it is fun to watch.

“To each and every single one of you, I say thank you. You taught me that it’s okay to be different and that there will always be people willing to overlook those differences and accept you for being yourself.”

17. Funny Graduation Speech

This class-elected graduation speaker has the perfect delivery of well-crafted jokes and one-liners throughout her speech. She keeps the whole class laughing and never misses a beat.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to pursuing an additional 4-year education – which I can’t afford.”

18. Moving Graduation Speech

This college graduation speech educates listeners about women’s education through the eyes of the speaker, who encountered resistance to seeking an education just because she was a woman. It’s nearly impossible to listen to this speech without feeling moved to take action.

“I couldn’t have imagined attending college, simply because we weren’t allowed to. My sisters weren’t allowed to; the girls before me weren’t allowed to.”

19. Funny Graduation Speech

This graduation speech by the senior class president is humorous and engaging. The class president reminisces with plenty of jokes in a speech full of fun memories and just the right amount of inspiration.

“I know we can all agree that this class is resilient. We survived an earthquake, two blackouts, and Ebola.”

20. Short Graduation Speech

Graduation ceremonies can be long, but the speeches don’t have to be. This short graduation speech uses an “ABCs of life” format to pack a lot of power into a short amount of time. The class president gets wild applause from the audience for his quick but clever speech.

“We must Q – quit quitting, and R – run the race with patience.”

• Thank teachers and your parents or other family members for their support, encouragement, help, aid or personal assistance during your years of studying.
• Praise accomplishments and achievements of the class.
• Reflect upon the past years, what has changed and is interesting enough to share with all?
• Mention funny and exciting events, you can opt for funny oneliners or even small innocent jokes, poems or quotations from famous people if you like.
• Motivate your fellow students and teachers and professors to look to the bright future:
• I continue with the 10 most wanted and popular graduation speech topics:
• Give advice, but avoid boring cliches that are totally not surprising.
• Entertain by telling humorous anecdotes and vivid stories. Offer an account of an interesting or humorous incident.
• Express the feelings of the class. But do not go over the top.
• Say farewell to all attendees. This acknowledgment at parting is the warming-up for the next and final step
• Wish the graduates of your class all the best and thank them for listening.

Don’t forget to:

Thank the parents and family.  Have your class honor them with applause. Not only have they made sure you showed up to school, there’s a host of other responsibilities that parents have sacrificed to accomplish for you. Now is your moment to focus on them for a minute or so.

Thank the teachers and administrators.  Each teacher or professor works many long hours that you don’t see in the classroom, and many have poured their hearts and lives into teaching. Take this moment to make it worth it for them.

Use some of my vote of thanks example expressions to feed you imagination for topics for graduation speech a little bit.

Make the address personal. When you decide to make your graduation speech personal, you will experience much bigger success. It will also be more fun to write and deliver a talk that brings high school or college to a close with recognition of the small things in education life. The memories you will run across looking through yearbooks and talking about with friends will be priceless for you as well.

Calm the nerves.  It is very intimidating to address hundreds of people in the audience while delivering a graduation speech. Many of us have fear of public speaking. Before you proceed, do this test. And practice the tips.

Consider including:

STORIES Include stories about your school. These high school graduation speech topics can be about teachers and funny things that have happened over the year.

EVENTS Include motivational or moving events that may have happened – perhaps volunteer opportunities that have changed the students’ perspective. Make sure that any major events that have happened are recognized.

Sports and music events that have been important to the school need to be recognized, even if it happened in one of the prior years of your class and not the graduating year.

CLASS EXPERIENCE Bring the class experience alive for those attending the graduation. Grandparents and parents, as well as siblings, have heard the names from school.

Bring the people to the campus life that they have heard about.

DECEASED If a fellow student or teacher has died, mention that person. Make it not a funeral obituary eulogy but recognize them for the family who might be present.

PROJECTS Mention any projects that the school has undertaken; if you have been involved in a community garden or other volunteer organization give credit for the impact it has made.

Pet Peeve Speech Topics

Commemorative Speech

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Giving a Preschool Graduation Speech: Tips for Speaking to Parents & Preschoolers on Graduation Day

• Rebecca Mayglothling
• Categories : Preschool teaching strategies, advice & tips
• Tags : Early education information for teachers, parents & caregivers

Preparing Your Speech

Talking to preschoolers is simple in the classroom, where students understand the schedule and are prepared for instruction. Speaking on graduation day, however, is trickier due to the fact that the students are out of their normal element. Many of them will be excited and antsy. Asking the class to sit still through the full ceremony may be asking too much from children ages three to five. The most important aspects of delivering a speech to a preschool class are the length of the speech, the use of humor in the speech and the specific content of the speech. Prepare the speech at least a week ahead of time; more time is better. Recruit coworkers and other preschool teachers to listen to your speech and help with editing.

What If You’re Nervous?

Being nervous is natural. While you are with the children all day, you are not with the parents all day. On graduation day, the parents will be in attendance. While you will be comfortable addressing your class, you may be completely uncomfortable doing it in front of the parents. Take deep breaths before getting in front of the crowd and count backwards from ten slowly. This activity relaxes your muscles and slows the adrenaline which is already rushing through a nervous body. When you are in front of the crowd, remember you are addressing your class, so look at your class. Avoid looking at the crowd behind your class. The speech is for the same crowd you address on a daily basis, so remember this and address them.

The length of the speech is the most important part of the speech. While three to four year olds are beginning to gain a longer attention span, they are still young and will probably be excited on this special day. Asking them to pay attention may be akin to asking them to sit still for more than ten minutes - it may not happen as planned. Therefore, attempt to keep the speech under ten minutes and allow the children to move quickly to the next event. Delivering a speech quickly to preschool students allows them to pay attention to the speech while maintaining the ability to sit still for the duration of the ceremony.

Add Some Humor

Humor is an icebreaker and speech mover for every age group. Adults love humor; kids will love it too. Talk about jokes from the classroom or a funny incident in the classroom. Keep the kids laughing and you will keep their attention as well. Jokes and humor keep the speech light during a time which may otherwise be emotional. Depending on the type of teacher you are and the type of classroom you run, the humor in the speech will vary. Make it unique and make it your own but certainly use humor to make your beloved class smile and remain engaged during the speech.

Content is the Key!

Make the content personal. Talk to the class as a whole and review some fun times from the past year. Were there any field trips? Talk about the fun time had by the class. Were there special visitors? Talk about how the class responded to the visitor. Review favorite lessons or activities where the students seemed to have more fun than usual. A speech delivered to a preschool class from the teacher is allowed to be personal, as the speaker is directly addressing a specific group. Deliver good tidings toward the end of the speech, but keep the main topic of the speech reflective, as children at this age understand what has happened better than what will happen.

Including the Rest of the Crowd

The rest of the crowd will be listening to your speech; however, any stories or jokes you share with your class can be explained to the rest of the audience after the speeches are over, during the socialization after the ceremony. Don’t feel the need to explain every section of your speech to the rest of the audience. Your audience is your class. Keep this in mind when writing your speech and address the class as if it were just another day in preschool. At the same time, don’t include any content which may offend parents or make others wonder what the heck happened in your classroom!

Light Hearted Speeches

Graduation day at preschool should be joyous and fun, so any speeches addressed to the children will need to be kept light and energetic. It is obvious that you, as the teacher, are experiencing mixed emotions, but you are also the backbone of the children and the classroom. Keep up this role through graduation day and keep the mood happy for the children. Be sure to hug each child and say goodbye, but save the tears for later.

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Author’s Own Experience

A Parent’s Guide to Giving a Speech at Your Child’s Graduation

June 14, 2023

Graduation is a significant milestone in the life of your child, and as a parent, you may have the honor of giving a speech at their graduation ceremony. This is a precious opportunity to express your pride, love, and well wishes for their future.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore how to give a speech at your child’s graduation that will leave a lasting impact. Additionally, we will introduce Yoodli, an AI speech and communication coach, and how it can assist you in crafting and delivering a remarkable speech that touches hearts and minds.

The Power of Giving a Speech at Your Child’s Graduation

Giving a speech at your child’s graduation ceremony is an opportunity for a heartfelt tribute that celebrates the achievements of your child and offers them both guidance and inspiration as they embark on their next chapter in life. It’s an opportunity to capture the essence of their educational journey thus far, acknowledge their growth, and provide them with valuable life lessons.

How to Use AI to Practice Giving a Speech at Your Child’s Graduation

Yoodli , an AI speech and communication coach, can be an invaluable tool in helping you deliver an exceptional graduation speech for your child. Here’s how Yoodli can assist you.

1. Refine your script.

Yoodli provides feedback on your speech script, helping you refine your content to ensure clarity, coherence, and emotional impact. It offers suggestions to enhance your storytelling, use persuasive language, and structure your speech effectively.

2. Improve the delivery of your speech.

Yoodli can also help improve your delivery by providing feedback on elements such as pacing, tone, and body language. It offers insights on how to engage the audience, maintain eye contact, and project confidence during your speech.

3. Practice your speech in a low-stress environment.

Yoodli offers virtual practice sessions where you can rehearse your speech and receive real-time feedback. This feature allows you to fine-tune your delivery and identify areas for improvement.

3 Quick Tips for Planning Your Speech at Your Child’s Graduation Ceremony

Here are a few straightforward ways you can prep for your speech at your child’s graduation ceremony.

1. Reflect on your child’s journey.

Take time to reflect on your child’s educational journey when giving a speech at their graduation ceremony, considering their challenges, successes, and personal growth. This reflection will help you craft a speech that resonates with their unique experiences.

2. Identify key messages in your speech.

Consider the key overall messages you want to convey in your speech. These can include expressing pride in their accomplishments, acknowledging their resilience, and sharing advice for the future, as well as expressing gratitude to teachers and mentors.

3. Structure your speech in a way that makes sense.

Organize your speech in a way that flows naturally and engages the audience. Consider using the following structure:

• Introduction : Grab the audience’s attention with a compelling opening that sets the tone for your speech.
• Personal anecdotes : Share meaningful, memorable stories and anecdotes about your child’s journey and highlight their character traits and achievements.
• Words of wisdom : Offer advice, life lessons, and encouragement for their future endeavors.
• Gratitude : Express your gratitude to teachers, mentors, and the educational institution for their guidance and support.
• Closing : Finally, end your speech with a heartfelt message of love, pride, and well wishes for your child’s future.

What to Say in a Speech Celebrating Your Child’s Graduation

Crafting the content of your graduation speech requires thoughtfulness and consideration. Here are some key points to include:

1. Acknowledge their achievements.

Begin by acknowledging your child’s achievements, highlighting their academic successes, extracurricular involvement, and personal growth throughout their educational journey . This is a great start to any graduation speech for your kid.

2. Express your pride and love for them.

Share your genuine pride and love for your child. Emphasize the joy they have brought to your life and the pride you feel in their accomplishments. This personal touch won’t go unnoticed.

3. Share personal anecdotes.

Weave in personal anecdotes that exemplify your child’s character, resilience, and growth. These stories will create a connection with the audience and add depth to your speech. On the other hand, look back to when you were their age and share a relevant story from your experiences as a young adult.

4. Offer sound advice and encouragement.

Provide words of wisdom and guidance for your child’s future endeavors. Share lessons you have learned and encourage them to embrace new opportunities, pursue their passions, and navigate challenges with determination.

5. Express your gratitude for them (and others).

Express gratitude to teachers, mentors, and the educational institution for their contributions to your child’s development. Acknowledge their dedication, support, and positive impact on your child’s educational journey.

6. Look to the future.

End your speech with a heartfelt message about the bright future that awaits your child. Express your confidence in their abilities and reassure them of your unwavering support as they embark on their next chapter.

The Bottom Line on How to Give a Memorable Speech at Your Child’s Graduation

Giving a touching and memorable graduation speech for your child is an honor and an opportunity to celebrate their achievements. By following the steps outlined in this guide and utilizing the assistance of Yoodli, your AI speech and communication coach, you can refine both your script and delivery, ensuring that your speech resonates with the audience and leaves a lasting impact.

Remember, the most powerful speeches come from the heart, so embrace the moment and let your love and pride shine through as you celebrate this significant milestone in your child’s life.

Giving a Speech at Your Child’s Graduation: 8 FAQs

1. how long should a speech at my child’s graduation be.

A graduation speech typically ranges from 5 to 10 minutes in length. It is important to keep your speech concise and engaging, capturing the audience’s attention without exceeding the allotted time. If you’re one of many parents giving a speech at this ceremony, keep it on the short side.

2. How can I manage nervousness while delivering the speech at my child’s graduation?

Nervousness is natural when giving a speech. To manage it, practice your speech multiple times, visualize a successful delivery, take deep breaths before speaking, and focus on connecting with the audience . Remember, your love and genuine emotions will shine through, helping you overcome nervousness.

3. Should I memorize my entire speech for my child’s graduation ceremony or use cue cards?

The choice between memorizing the entire speech or using cue cards depends on your comfort level and speaking style. Some prefer to memorize to maintain a natural flow, while others opt for cue cards to ensure key points are covered. Use the method that allows you to speak confidently and maintain a connection with the audience.

4. Is it necessary to include humor in the speech?

Including humor can add a light-hearted and memorable touch to your speech. However, it is essential to consider the audience and ensure the humor is appropriate and relevant to the occasion. Use humor sparingly and in a way that aligns with the overall tone and purpose of your speech.

5. Can Yoodli help with non-English speeches?

Yoodli primarily focuses on English language speech coaching. While it may provide general guidance on delivery and body language, its script refinement feature may be limited to the English language. For non-English speeches, it is recommended to consult with language-specific resources or coaches.

6. Can Yoodli help with pronunciation improvement?

Yes, Yoodli can provide feedback on pronunciation and offer suggestions for improvement. Its advanced speech recognition technology allows it to analyze your pronunciation and provide targeted guidance to enhance your overall delivery.

7. How far in advance should I start preparing my graduation speech?

It is recommended to start preparing your graduation speech several weeks in advance. This allows ample time for reflection, scriptwriting, revisions, and practice sessions. Starting early gives you the opportunity to craft a well-thought-out and impactful speech.

8. Should I rehearse my speech multiple times?

Rehearsing your speech multiple times is crucial for a confident and polished delivery. Practice allows you to refine your script, work on your timing, and become familiar with the flow of your speech. Rehearsing also helps you internalize the content, making it easier to deliver naturally on the day of the graduation ceremony.

Remember, while Yoodli can provide valuable guidance, ultimately, the success of your graduation speech relies on your personal touch, genuine emotions, and the love you have for your child. Embrace the opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments and leave a lasting impression with your heartfelt words.

Start practicing with Yoodli.

Getting better at speaking is getting easier. Record or upload a speech and let our AI Speech Coach analyze your speaking and give you feedback.

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How to Write a Graduation Speech (Graduation Speech Examples)

Have you been asked to deliver a commencement speech? Or have you worked your butt off to become valedictorian or salutatorian, and now you have to deliver a graduation speech? In this post, we will cover one of the more challenging types of presentation creation: How to Write a Graduation Speech . (By the way, I have also included a few popular graduation speech examples as a guide for you.)

This post is a continuation of our How to Create a Presentation series. We are going to break this post down into three parts, though. We will show you how to create a commencement speech in this post. Next week, I’ll show you how to write a valedictorian speech and how to deliver a salutatorian speech. Each of these graduation speeches has a slightly different purpose, but all of them need to be inspirational and funny.

How to Write a Commencement Speech

The commencement speech is often the keynote speech of the graduation ceremony. This presentation should be uplifting and entertaining, but this graduation speech should also teach a life lesson to the graduating students. If you do a search on YouTube of the best graduation speeches, many of these speakers will be famous comedians. When a comedian delivers a commencement speech, and the speech is posted on YouTube, it will always get a ton of views. The humor alone will make people want to watch the video. Three of the most popular of these speeches are by Conan O’Brien, Will Ferrell, and Ellen DeGeneres. The interesting thing about the speeches from these famous comedians is that, yes, they are funny, but the inspiration comes from what they learned from their failures.

“There is no such thing as failure. Failure is just life life trying to push you in another direction.” Oprah Winfrey, Harvard University Commencement Speech

A Good Structure When You Write a Commencement Address

Thank the crowd.

Start with Something Funny

Be Inspirational

The inspirational part of your commencement speech will come from the theme of the graduation speech . (For Sample Graduation Speech Themes , see the section below.) The easiest way to develop a theme is to look for an inspirational famous quote about success. You can do this by just going to Google and type in “success quotes”. Once you come up with a great quote, you can either paraphrase the quote and make it your own or quote the original speaker.

Tell Stories from Your Own Experience Related to Your Quote (Theme).

This the most important part of how to write a graduation speech. The stories and examples are what the audience will remember. These stories add emotion and inspiration to your graduation speech. They also help you build rapport with the audience. Finally, these stories make your delivery much easier. You don’t have to memorize a lot of material. Instead, just play the video in your head of what happened and describe the incident to the graduates.

For a great example of this, watch the YouTube video on Stanford University’s channel where Steve Jobs gives the commencement speech. I love this speech, because Jobs skips the introduction and the funny stuff and starts his speech with the following. “I’m going to tell you three stories.” It’s simple, and the crowd loves him.

End with an Inspirational Call to Action.

So as you go on to the next stage in your life and you experience failure… because you will experience failure, use that as a stepping stone to your next success. Persevere. Don’t rest on that success. Use it as a stepping stone to your next success. Persevere, and you will experience a series of successes and failures that will allow you to accomplish something great!”

Use this outline to create a simple 20 to 30 minute speech. (The shorter the better… No one gets a diploma until you finish.)

Sample Graduation Speech Themes

If you are having trouble coming up with a theme for your graduation speech, here are a few Sample Commencement Speech Themes. As you read through them, think about which them or quote has been most applicable in your career? Once you choose a graduation speech them, use the outline above to create your speech.

• Hard Work Leads to Success

“I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.” — Coleman Cox

• Create Your Own Path.

“It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.” — Herman Melville

• Make Things Happen.

“Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” — Henry David Thoreau

• Don’t Settle for Average. Strive for Greatness.

“Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.” –John D. Rockefeller

• Don’t Wait for the Perfect Opportunity. Look for a Way to Create Your Own Opportunity.

“Opportunities don’t happen. You create them.” — Chris Grosser/blockquote> The Road Ahead is Hard, But It Leads to Success. “Successful people do what unsuccessful people are not willing to do. Don’t wish it were easier; wish you were better.” — Jim Rohn

• Focus on Your Dream.

“The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus.” — Bruce Lee

• Learn from Every Mistake to Move Toward Success.

“Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.” — Conrad Hilton

• When Your Why is Big Enough, Your How Will Appear.

“If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.” — Jim Rohn

• Happiness is the Key to Success.

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” — Albert Schweitzer

Use the Speech Creator as a Guide to How to Create a Graduation Speech

Once you have chosen a them, and you have a few stories to inspire your audience, use our Online Speech Writer to help you organize your thoughts. (It’s free.)

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Stump The Teacher

Preschool graduation speech.

8 comments:

Great use of Satire. I enjoyed reading your post, and I have a son that is moving on to kindergarten next year. It was so weird to talk about his 'testing accommodations' in his IEP meeting for KINDERGARTEN! I don't want to homeschool, but it might be our best option to keep creativity and natural learning alive. Thanks again for the post.

Powerful! It makes me so sad. Fostering curiosity should be the focus no matter what age or grade.

Fantastic, beautiful letter. As a pre-service teacher, this reminds me again of what I want my classroom to be and how I want to teach. This makes me more determined to provide a fun, open and engaging classroom for my students to grow in.

This was sad and funny at the same time. I have been teaching elementary school for the last twenty years. It is hard to see the trend that what is tested is what is taught, period. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one with a wider vision. Thank you.

Very true . . . and sad. This is why I moved from doing therapy with public school students to running an authentic Montessori school. Love of learning - learning HOW to learn - is fostered every single day at out school. I see it in my own children and in the other students. Why can't this way of learning be accessible to every child in elementary and middle school??? Oh, right. Because we have all that testing to teach to as dictated by . . . ???

As an elementary school principal of a Pre-k to 3rd grade school, I appreciate the wisdom of the 'speech'. We want children to have a love of learning. Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA - currently known as No Child Left Behind) must be done to remove the high stakes testing if we have any chance of preserving that natural curiosity and creativity.

I agree that student's creativity is being put to the side as they enter elementary, junior, and high school. It is very unfortunate because learning should be fun, not just about grades and testing. This rigid form of schooling will cause a lot of students to lose some interest in school. Creativity is a must as some students need to be challenged this way. The good news is that Kindergarten and the early elementary grades use creativity sometimes. The bad news is that creativity gets removed from students' education as they progress through the grades. Thank goodness for teachers who really think outside of the box because like you said, no matter what is required of testing, these teachers will still incorporate creativity in the classroom.

It saddens me that this is so true!

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10 Steps For Writing An Unforgettable Graduation Speech

• Pick A Theme
• Begin With Gratitude
• Motivational Quotes
• Get Personal
• Add Your Personality
• Avoid Cliches
• Create A Call To Action

School is almost out, but for many students, there’s one more major task to complete before summer: graduation. Whether you’re graduating from high school or earning a college degree, a graduation ceremony is a huge milestone. And, if you’ve been asked to speak at graduation, you might be feeling the pressure right now.

Graduation speeches of all kinds date back to at least the 1600s, and though a lot has changed since then, these kinds of speeches still contain similar key elements that help make them effective, inspiring, and something every graduating student and their loved ones look forward to.

Public speaking can be nerve-racking in any setting, particularly when you know the audience is filled with people’s cousins and grandparents who are likely to remember this day forever, but fear not! We’re here to help with these 10 key steps to follow to write and deliver a truly unforgettable graduation speech.

1. Pick a theme.

If you want the audience to feel moved and inspired by your speech (Who doesn’t, right?), then it helps to build your speech around a central theme or message. Think about what’s important to you as the speaker and what you’d like others to take away from your words. Once you have a theme, it will be easier to select the quotes and anecdotes that tie back to that central idea and create a speech that leaves your audience in awe.

🎓 Here are some popular themes to consider:

• Embracing failure.
• Overcoming adversity.
• The importance of having big dreams.
• Facing change with grace.
• Taking responsibility for your future.
• Learning from past mistakes.
• The importance of friendship.
• Becoming a lifelong learner.

2. Begin with gratitude.

When you step up to the mic on graduation day, you’ll need to begin with a few formalities. First, thank the previous speakers, as well as everyone in attendance. Then, express your feelings about the privilege of being asked to address the audience on this momentous occasion. Go ahead and write this part down so you don’t forget to do it on the big day. Here are some examples:

Thank you, [name of previous speaker], and thank you, friends, family, faculty, and fellow graduates for being here today. It’s an honor to celebrate this milestone with you as your valedictorian.

Thank you, [name of previous speaker]. Graduates, loved ones, and distinguished faculty members, it is an honor to be here with you today. I’m so grateful to [name of school or university] for the privilege of being your [type of speaker].

3. Use a motivational quote.

The greatest commencement speeches typically include a motivational quote, whether it’s from a famous person, a beloved teacher, or something your grandfather taught you. The right motivational quote will tie into your theme and serve as a thesis statement for the message you hope the audience will take from your words. Consider these celebrity quotes from other powerful commencement speeches:

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.” — Steve Jobs , Stanford University, 2005

“You must lead. You’re never too young to lead. You’re never too old to lead. We need your leadership now more than ever before.” — John Lewis , Harvard, 2018

“The day you graduate, you do not arrive. This is not the end. This is the beginning for you. To graduate is to change gradually.” — Rita Moreno , Northeastern Illinois University, 2015

“Ultimately, your life is made up of moments. So don’t miss them by being lost in the past or anticipating the future.” — Jessica Lange , Sarah Lawrence College, 2008

“You are full of complexities and wonders that haven’t even begun to surface. Life’s unpredictability will draw these out and what defines you now will be mere shades and hues of a more vibrant you over the next five, 10, 50 years. Honestly, I can’t think of anything more liberating than that, knowing that life will look differently than you think it will.” — Octavia Spencer , Kent State University, 2017

4. Get personal.

When Conan O’Brien delivered the commencement speech at Dartmouth University in 2011, he talked about being fired from his dream job and what that failure taught him. Some lauded it as one of the best graduation speeches of all time.

Sharing personal anecdotes, even ones that mention failures or humiliations, is a powerful way to connect with your audience and drive your message home in a personal way. When writing your speech, draw on your experiences as a student and be clear about how those experiences shaped and prepared you for what lies ahead.

Learn how to a sensational graduation card here.

5. Infuse your personality.

Graduation speeches may follow a formula, but that doesn’t mean they need to be boring! Use your personal sense of humor, unique story, and life experiences to give the speech character and charm. What does this look like in action?

In 2016, author John Green brought levity to his commencement speech when shared with the graduating class at Kenyon College that the best life advice he ever got was, “You’re a good kid, but you need to learn when to stop talking.”

At the University of Virginia in 2016, late night host Stephen Colbert joked that people should leave their cell phones on because “I wouldn’t want you to miss a text or a tweet while I’m giving my speech.”

You may not be a famous comedian or author, but being uniquely yourself can help your speech shine.

6. Reflect, then look ahead.

You and the rest of your graduating class are sharing a major life milestone, and you’ve all worked hard to get to this point. What has life been like during your years in school? What experiences have you shared, and how have those shaped you as people moving forward into the next phase of your life?

In your speech, include real-life examples of the things you’ve faced in your time as students. Put those events in context in your life, and remind your audience that you have all learned so much more than just what was on the course syllabi.

7. Avoid clichés

The tricky part of writing a graduation speech is being inspiring without resorting to clichés. If you use personal anecdotes and weave personality into your speech, it’s unlikely that you’ll fall back on tired, overused statements. But, sometimes they still sneak in. If that’s the case, try to swap them out with a fresher take.

Here are some ideas:

• Instead of talking about the “real world” as a future destination, talk about how you already live there and you’re ready for whatever life throws at you.
• Instead of defining a typical graduation word (like courage or future ), talk about the words that come to mind when you think about school and what they mean to you.
• Instead of talking about what you’re “leaving behind,” talk about what lessons and people you’re taking with you.

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8. Create a call to action.

Graduation speeches serve two important purposes: celebrating everything that came before graduation day and building excitement for everything that will come after it. The easiest way to leave people inspired is to include a call to action. This doesn’t mean providing strict instructions for some task they must complete. Think of it more as broad instructions for how to meet the challenges ahead.

Your call to action should restate the theme of your speech and give the audience a clear takeaway message to carry with them. Need some examples? We have a few:

“Whatever you want to do, do it now. For life is time, and time is all there is.” — Gloria Steinem , Tufts University, 1987

“Let excellence be your brand.” — Oprah Winfrey , Spelman College, 2012

“Fight for the job you want, fight for the people who mean the most to you and fight for the kind of world you want to live in.” — Elizabeth Warren , Suffolk University, 2016

9. Keep it brief.

While you surely have a lot of great things to say, no one wants to sit through a 12-page speech. Graduation ceremonies are already long, and the audience is usually asked to listen to multiple speeches. Keep this in mind, and say what you’d like to say in the briefest way possible. Aim for a speech that falls between 500 and 750 words, and time yourself to make sure you don’t exceed 10 minutes during delivery.

10. Practice, practice, practice.

The only way to ensure your speech flows, makes sense, and holds people’s attention is to practice reading it out loud. Practice by yourself in front of a mirror, being careful to notice and edit any places where you trip over words or have awkward pauses. Once you’ve perfected the solo read-aloud, ask a parent or friend to serve as an audience. This will help you test out your jokes and polish your anecdotes based on their reactions. By graduation day, you’ll be ready to take to the stage like a pro.

Need more inspiration? These graduation quotes should do the trick.

Ways To Say

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How to Host a Memorable Preschool Graduation

• brightwheel

Preschool graduation is an essential milestone in a child's life. Graduating from preschool means a child is one step closer to starting kindergarten, which is a significant accomplishment. It's also a time for families to celebrate how far their child has come.

Preschool graduations give children a chance to show off the skills they have learned in the past year. Families get the opportunity to experience first-hand what their child has achieved throughout their time at preschool. 

Preschool graduation is a special day and there are a lot of things to consider when planning this event. This guide offers a few ideas to help make the day memorable.

Celebrating milestones: Preschool graduation

Preschool graduation marks a pivotal milestone in a child's educational journey, celebrating their growth and the foundational skills they've acquired. This event not only signifies an important transition but also sets the stage for the beginning of a new and exciting chapter.

Preschool graduations are significant events that:

Celebrate children’s developmental milestones : A preschool graduation ceremony is a celebration, as it signifies children's ability to learn, grow, and take on more responsibility. It also shows that children are meeting developmental milestones, an essential step in children's lives that is worth celebrating.

Honor children and families for their time at your center : Preschool graduations are a chance to celebrate the children, families, and teachers who have worked together to make children’s learning and time at your center successful. 

• Acknowledge teacher and family partnerships : Preschool graduations are also times to acknowledge the strong home-to-school connection that teachers and families have achieved. It is also an opportunity for families to consider how they can continue supporting their child's educational goals after they move on from preschool.

With brightwheel, you can strengthen relationships between staff and families with things like real-time messaging and daily reports . The app makes it easy for families to get in touch with you, and staff can quickly send messages, SMS alerts, or engaging newsletters to families.

Components of a preschool graduation ceremony

Preschool graduation ceremonies are special occasions that recognize young learners' achievements and readiness for the next step in their educational path. Here, we explore the essential components that make up a memorable preschool graduation ceremony:

• Speeches: The preschool administrator or director generally congratulates children on their hard work and dedication to the school. They can talk about what children have learned in the past year and how it has helped them grow. They may also talk about what the future holds for them and give advice to families.
• Receiving diplomas: The presentation of a preschool diploma is usually simple, with each child receiving a certificate from the school. The school may also present children with other mementos that symbolize their success. Families also sometimes bring gifts for their children, accompanied by a photo session.

Special school traditions: Traditions vary from school to school; this can be anything from a special song or dance performance to a more formal procession. Regardless of the specifics, these traditions are fun and memorable ways to mark the occasion.

Preschool graduation ideas

To help organize your event, consider choosing a preschool graduation theme with relevant activities that showcase what children have learned in the past year. The theme sets the tone for the ceremony and can transform a simple graduation into a captivating event that children, families, and teachers will remember for years to come.

Consider involving families and children in the planning process to build community and engagement with your program. They can assist with decorating the space, choosing the music, preparing refreshments, and cleaning up after the event.

Once you settle on a particular theme, incorporate it into every aspect of the event to make it fun and memorable for children. Here are ten ideas to consider for your preschool graduation ceremony.

1. Under the sea

This is a great way to bring the beauty of the ocean and its many creatures to the event. Here are some ideas to help bring this theme to life:

• Decorate the graduation venue with blue and green streamers, balloons, and other under-the-sea-themed decorations
• Give out seashells or other under-the-sea-themed favors to the graduates 

2. Out of this world 

This theme is a great way to inspire children to reach for the stars and celebrate their stellar achievements. Some ideas for decorating this theme include:

• Hanging planet and star decorations from the ceiling
• Setting up a rocket ship as a backdrop
• Making space-themed crafts such as aliens, UFOs, and telescopes

3. Exploring the future

This theme is all about showing a future full of possibilities. Some popular activities include:

• Having the children wear costumes inspired by their favorite futuristic movie or TV show
• Playing games that reflect what life will be like in the future
• Using virtual reality to “transport” your children to a different world for their big day

4. Growing garden

Just like a blooming plant, the growing garden theme represents the growth and development of the children over the past year. It can also be a reminder of the importance of learning and growing. Here are a few tips on how to prepare for this theme: 

• Choose a location that has plenty of green space, such as a neighborhood park
• Decorate the space with flowers and plants 
• Use garden-themed props such as watering cans, baskets, and flower pots

5. Alphabet theme

An alphabet theme is a great way to incorporate learning into the festivities and will put your children’s letter knowledge on display. 

• Decorate your venue with alphabet letter balloons
• Sing songs that teach the alphabet, such as The Alphabet Song
• Create awards for each child that correspond to a letter of the alphabet. For example, the "A" award can be for being an "amazing artist", the "B" award can be for being a "brave helper", and so on
• You can also serve alphabet-themed food like alphabet soup

6. Reading books

A book-themed graduation ceremony is a great way to encourage a love for reading. Consider one book that your children have read the past year and use it as a base for your decor.

For example, children can dress up as their favorite book characters, and the ceremony can end with everyone reading aloud from their favorite book. Additionally, you can end the ceremony with a book-themed graduation song, such as The Reading Song or The More We Read Together.

7. Road trip 

A road trip-themed graduation ceremony is a great way to celebrate the end of preschool and the beginning of summer vacation. The decor can be based on popular travel destinations, and the graduate program can include activities related to road trips. Alternatively, the ceremony can have a special "road trip" down the graduation aisle, with children riding in toy cars or buses. 

8. Rainbow theme

What better way to celebrate than with a rainbow-themed graduation party? Imagine a sea of little graduates in their caps and gowns, each adorned with ribbons of different colors of the rainbow. Create this theme with plenty of colorful balloons, streamers, and tablecloths. And, of course, no graduation party is complete without a delicious cake, so be sure to include a rainbow cake in your plans!

9. Nature theme

Use animal prints, greenery, and rustic props like tree stumps and wooden signs for a nature-inspired theme. You can set up a mini zoo with stuffed animals or animal masks, or you can organize a nature walk with the children to explore the local flora and fauna. You can also have a storytelling session with animal-themed books.

10. Circus-themed ceremony 

For this theme, you can organize games, such as a ring toss, beanbag toss, or balloon darts, to keep the children entertained. You can also set up a photo booth with circus-themed props such as clown noses, mustaches, and hats so children can take photos with their friends and family. This is a great way to celebrate the children's accomplishments and send them off to kindergarten with a bang.

Sample preschool graduation program

Having an organized timeline can help you plan your graduation ceremony and activities. Even a very simple program can still create a memorable and engaging experience. Below is a sample program you can use to plan your event and adjust to suit the needs of your school's culture: 

• 8:00 am: Processional by the graduating class.  The preschool staff will begin the ceremony by leading the children's procession, with each child escorted by a family member.
• 8:05 am: Welcome speech.  Once everyone is seated, the preschool director will welcome children and guests. 
• 8:10 am: Performance.  Usually the preschool class will be prepared to sing a short song or perform a simple dance.
• 8:15 am: Presentation of diplomas.  After the performance, it’s time for children to receive their diplomas, presented by the preschool staff. Families can also come up on stage for a photo session.
• 8:45 am: Final speech.  To wrap things up, the preschool director will thank families for their support throughout the year and end on an inspirational note. 
• 8:50 am: Reception.  End the day with a small reception with refreshments.

Preschool graduation checklist

Here are some items to include on your preschool graduation checklist:

• Decorations 
• Graduation gowns
• Graduation caps
• Diplomas 
• Invitations 
• Refreshments
• Cameras and video cameras
• Gifts for children (optional)

Bottom line 

Graduating from preschool is a significant milestone for children and their families. It marks the end of an essential phase of their lives and the beginning of a new one.

When children graduate from preschool, they have their first taste of real achievement and are proud of what they’ve accomplished. With creativity and preparation, you can pull off a preschool graduation ceremony that both children and families will appreciate and remember forever.

Brightwheel is the complete solution for early education providers, enabling you to streamline your center’s operations and build a stand-out reputation. Brightwheel connects the most critical aspects of running your center—including sign in and out, parent communications, tuition billing, and licensing and compliance—in one easy-to-use tool, along with providing best-in-class customer support and coaching. Brightwheel is trusted by thousands of early education centers and millions of parents. Learn more at  mybrightwheel.com .

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Preschool Graduation Quotes – Inspiring Words for the Little Graduates

Preschool graduation: where little dreams take flight.

Today kindergarten, tomorrow the world.

The tassel was worth the hassle.

Preschool: the beginning of a lifetime of learning.

Preschool graduation: a small step for them, a giant leap for their future.

Congratulations to the future leaders of the world!

Preschool graduation: where imagination meets achievement.

Preschool graduates: the world is your canvas.

Preschool graduation: a celebration of curiosity and growth.

Preschool: where friendships bloom and memories are made.

Preschool graduates: ready to explore the world with wonder and joy.

Preschool graduation: the start of their educational adventure.

Preschool graduates: shining stars of tomorrow.

Preschool: where the seeds of knowledge are planted.

Preschool graduation: a stepping stone to greatness.

Preschool graduates: ready to conquer kindergarten and beyond.

Preschool: where little minds think big thoughts.

Preschool graduation: a testament to hard work and perseverance.

Preschool graduates: the future is bright and full of possibilities.

Preschool: where dreams take shape and imagination soars.

Preschool graduation: a celebration of the little ones who will change the world.

Preschool graduates: the stars of tomorrow’s sky.

Preschool: where little learners become big thinkers.

Preschool graduation: the start of an amazing journey.

Preschool graduates: ready to make their mark on the world.

Preschool: where creativity is nurtured and dreams come true.

Preschool graduation: a milestone in their educational journey.

Preschool graduates: the architects of their own bright futures.

Preschool: where imaginations run wild and minds grow.

Preschool graduation: a celebration of their triumphs and growth.

Preschool graduates: the stars of our future.

Preschool: where little hands create big things.

Preschool graduation: a launchpad for their dreams.

Preschool graduates: the world is waiting with open arms.

Preschool: where little hearts are filled with big dreams.

Preschool graduation: a celebration of their boundless potential.

Preschool graduates: destined for greatness.

Preschool: where little explorers become world travelers.

Preschool graduation: a page turned, a new chapter begun.

Preschool graduates: the heroes of their own story.

Preschool: where laughter and learning go hand in hand.

Preschool graduation: a celebration of their journey so far.

Preschool graduates: the innovators and creators of the future.

Preschool: where little minds discover their unlimited potential.

Preschool graduation: a moment to cherish, a memory to hold.

Preschool graduates: be brave, be kind, be amazing.

Preschool: where the magic of learning begins.

Preschool graduation: a step closer to their dreams.

Preschool graduates: the leaders of tomorrow’s world.

Preschool: where learning is an adventure that never ends.

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How to plan memorable early childhood graduations (with a free template)

• Posted by Christi Schlager
• June 14, 2021
• in Posted in Curriculum & activities

Graduation in the early childhood setting is such a special time for little ones, educators, and parents, and it’s worth celebrating! These little people will make a big difference in our world one day and lots of them have been in childcare, daycare, preschool, or kindergarten (whichever term you prefer to use!) since they were itty bitty babies. The time has come to move on, and it’s important to recognize and honor the strides they have made and commemorate them as they go off to their next step. Throughout this article, you will find different ideas to consider while planning a graduation celebration for the kids’ preschool graduations.

Ideas for celebrating a child’s preschool graduation for early childhood centers

There are endless ways to celebrate a child’s preschool graduation – some of them more traditional, some of them more novel! Either way, any celebration will be cherished. 

Traditional children’s graduation ideas

• Classic indoor graduation ceremony – Having a classic indoor graduation ceremony is a wonderful way to celebrate. Children feel special getting to dress up and wear a graduation cap and gown. They will beam with pride as they hear their name and walk across the stage to receive their diploma certificate.
• Outdoor graduation ceremony – Outdoor graduation ceremonies are a wonderful option. Children love to be outside and the outdoor component has major benefits if it’s a possibility. Those benefits include no limit on guests in attendance, fun opportunities like a balloon release, and great lighting for pictures. 
• Graduation luncheon – If you’re up for a more low-key, but still traditional option a luncheon may be for you. A luncheon is a good opportunity to spend time together at the end of the year. You could also hand out awards and diplomas while everyone is eating – easy peasy!
• End of the year assembly – Assemblies can be fun, but do require a bit more work. An assembly is a great way for the children to showcase what they learned throughout the year. Children love to perform and often feel proud after singing a song or reciting a verse. If you do choose an assembly, just give yourself some time to plan, prep, and practice!

Non-traditional children’s preschool or daycare graduation ideas

• Class project – A class project may be a fun and different option for children to celebrate the end of their time in an early education center. These types of projects could relate to end-of-the-year type subjects. For example, it’s common to ask graduates what they want to be when they grow up. So, let’s make it into a project! Each child could pick what they want to be, they could each research their job, dress up as what they want to be, and then present it. 
• Virtual graduation ceremony – A virtual graduation ceremony is not only a good way to celebrate during COVID, but also to reach a big audience. The convenience of our virtual world right now cannot be denied. Perhaps a child has grandparents across the country? Perfect – they can attend! Just sign onto the virtual ceremony. This is also an option that has the potential to be saved and replayed at a later date, or for years to come. That makes it pretty special.
• End of the year compilation video – This is a nice option if you’d rather not go the ceremony route. Compiling pictures together to music is a sure-fire tear-jerker for parents. These videos can also include baby and toddler pictures of the graduates to really showcase their growth while at your center. Much like the virtual graduation ceremony, this one can also be saved and viewed for years to come. 
• Create a keepsake – Creating a keepsake for each graduate can be equally special for the child and their parents alike. Some good options are things like a handprint in clay, having the child draw a graduation self-portrait, creating an autograph book, and answering a questionnaire. Something that can act both as a keepsake and a preschool graduation gift is a photo of each child in a frame with the graduation year on it (um, adorable!). These are all keepsakes that parents will treasure for years to come and children love to look back on as they grow.

Involving the child’s family 

Given the close relationship that early childhood centers have with their families, it’s a no-brainer to involve them in the celebration! Just as graduation is special to the child, it’s meaningful to the parents as well. You may even want to consider choosing more than one way to celebrate graduation such as a ceremony and a keepsake for the parents to cherish.

Parents can be involved in many ways. It could be as simple as them contributing a treat to a graduation luncheon, or sending in photos to be included in an end-of-the-year video. Another special idea is having parents record themselves saying how proud they are of their child and what they love about them most or what their wish for them is and compiling these videos to play for the children. 

Adjusting for COVID

This past year we have all learned to be more fluid due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When planning a graduation celebration during COVID, flexibility is key. Whatever works for you and your center will be perfect.

Having the ceremony outdoors or virtually are both safer options. You could certainly make graduation a special time even while following CDC protocols. If you do choose an indoor ceremony, it’s important to connect with families prior to planning the event and let them know the details and what precautions will be taking place. Perhaps you swap shaking hands for a thumbs up or have everyone in attendance socially distance themselves in the audience. 

Here are some important factors to consider to keep everyone safe:

• 6’ apart spacing for children and attendees
• Limit handshakes and hugs
• Consider festive Class of *insert year* facemasks
• Schedule photo opportunities in time slots to avoid overcrowding
• Host an outdoor ceremony with a rain date
• Choose a virtual ceremony via Zoom or Google Meets
• Have children arrive already dressed in graduation caps and gowns

Regardless of which avenue you choose, celebrating a graduation in the early childhood years has endless benefits. Pick whatever feels right and feasible and get to celebrating! You are, without a doubt, creating one of the sweetest memories. Hey…speaking of sweet, throw in a class (Ring)Pop! Here’s to the graduates!

Don’t forget to share all of the amazing photos and videos of your graduation with your parents —  discover how HiMama can help today!

Christi Schlager

Christi has been teaching in the classroom for close to 10 years. She has taught both Special Education and Early Childhood Education. Christi enjoys gardening, creating, the beach, and motherhood.

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I felt like covid-19 made me forget all those that we used to do. Thank you so much for reminding us.

Preschool graduation is such a special time for families! We loved doing some of these activities during our ceremony this May ❤️👨🏻‍🎓🍎

Graduation ceremonies are important and I like what I have read

Graduation ceremony it’s a very exciting experience for both parents and the kids.

I’m very excited about the tips on how to make a a successful memorable graduation through Hi mama information

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Teach the importance of a preschool graduation

Graduation is such a special milestone in a child’s life.  This ceremony is a great opportunity to celebrate learning and to recognize an important milestone, one that may be the first of many milestones. The innate feeling of pride and accomplishment as you walk across the stage to receive your preschool diploma is so amazing.  From the tassel on the graduation cap to hearing the ceremonial music of “Pomp and Circumstance” for the first time, graduation is a special moment.

Teaching about graduation also helps children transition into kindergarten.  Easing children into the transition to school is a huge benefit in their future learning experiences.

The ability of students to fully engage in and benefit from their kindergarten experiences has been shown to depend on the degree to which they successfully transition into kindergarten, and the success of that transition is at least partially predicated on their home and early educational backgrounds.

Read more: Facilitating the Transition to Kindergarten

Families can teach about graduation by reading graduation books, incorporating graduation into play, and more.

Read on for some suggestions:

Books to read:

• Mrs. Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten Joseph Slate, Ashley Wolff
• The Night Before Kindergarten Natasha Wing, Julie Durrell
• Edgar Graduates Dr. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith

Incorporate graduation into play:

• Pretend play with graduation gowns, graduation caps, tassels, and diplomas
• Set up a “stage” with chairs for the audience and for the children
• Play “Pomp and Circumstance” so children can practice marching on/off stage
• Make yarn or sting tassels to use as a paint brush alternative
• Cut out graduation photos and paste/tape onto blocks for block play
• Practice writing the words “tassel,” “diploma,” “gown,” “cap,” “graduation”
• Provide sample diplomas for children to practice writing their names

Sing graduation songs together:

Going off to kindergarten.

Sung to: “Oscar Mayer Wiener Song”

Oh, I’m ready to go off to kindergarten That is where I really want to be Cause when I get to go to kindergarten Everyone will be so proud of me!

I’m a Little Graduate

Sung To: “I’m a Little Teapot”

I’m a little graduate Dressed in _____ (color), Wearing a gown and a cap on my head. When I leave preschool I will be ____ (age) A kindergarten student Aren’t you proud of me?

Fun in Preschool

Sung to: “I’ll Be Working on the Railroad”

I’ve been having fun in preschool, Learning all year long. I can tell you all about it, Just listen to this song. We’ve been learning shapes and colors, Letters and numbers too! I’ve learned how to share with others, Now our year is through!

Original Author Unknown Sung to: “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”

Kindergarten here we come We know we’ll have lots of fun Lots of things to make and do Reading, writing, counting too Kindergarten here we come We know we’ll have lots of fun

Sung To: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star“

Special, special, special me How I wonder what I’ll be. In this big world I can be Anything I want to be. Special, special, special me

How I wonder what I’ll be. To Kindergarten We Go

by Christa Koch Sung to: “Mary Had a Little Lamb”

In Preschool we had lots of fun, Lots of fun, lots of fun. In Preschool we had lots of fun. To Kindergarten we go. We know our letters and 123s How to share, and all about me. In Pre-k we had lots of fun. To Kindergarten we go.

For all of our Dr. Day Care graduates – each child will receive a copy of Edgar Graduates . Read this story together with your graduate to celebrate your child’s achievements.

Edgar Graduates

This book teaches children the concepts of graduation as well as understanding important milestones in a child’s life. By reinforcing milestones children can easily recognize (such as toilet training, learning ABCs, and more), children learn about educational opportunities that are available.

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7 Creative Graduation Speech Ideas that Will Get You a Standing Ovation

Table of contents

When you look back at your college days, one of the occasions you’re most likely to remember is your graduation day.

Graduation ceremonies are bittersweet - on the one hand, you’re excited and proud to see your years of hard work pay off; on the other hand, you cannot help but get teary-eyed with the thought of leaving your college and friends to step out into a whole new world.

Yes, the dichotomy is real.

No graduation ceremony is complete without a speech. It’s meant to tie together your experiences in college and thank all those who helped you through this journey while looking forward to what’s ahead.

Now that the countdown to your graduation ceremony has begun, it’s time to start working on that crucial speech. In this article, we will show you how to write a great speech and suggest some creative graduation speech ideas for you to take inspiration from.

How to Write a Memorable Graduation Speech and Get a Standing Ovation

The best graduation speeches are those that are poignant and leave a lasting impression on the audience. You want to be able to tug the emotional strings, captivate people and leave them feeling inspired with your speech.

No pressure.

The most important aspect of an outstanding speech is its content. While you can practice delivering the speech multiple times, it’s the writing that defines its success.

Aiming for a standing ovation? You must. Here are seven ways to write a memorable graduation speech and win over your audience.

Brainstorm themes

When you sit down to work on your graduation speech, you’re either overwhelmed with all that you want to say or you’re just plain blank. Either way, you’re stuck and don’t know where or how to begin.

Let’s take it step-by-step.

Start with brainstorming themes or notable experiences from college that would make for a great graduation speech. Go back in time, and reflect on your experiences .

Think of the successes, failures, accomplishments, disappointments, and lessons you’ve learned - and note them all down.

At this stage, all you should do is jot down every little thought or idea that comes to mind.

You can also take to mind mapping tools to organize your thoughts better and bring your ideas to life in a more structured manner.

Narrow down on a theme and stick to it

Now that you have all the ideas, it’s time to pick a theme. Yes, this one’s a challenging and crucial step because you need to be able to select a theme that gives you the scope to craft and delivers a wonderful speech. Apart from that, also consider your audience and time frame.

The last thing you want is to realize you’ve chosen the wrong one midway through writing.

Having one centric theme is important because it gives your speech structure and purpose. While you can touch upon a couple of experiences, they need to all tie back to this one theme.

If you’re having trouble deciding which one to go with, we’ve laid out seven winning creative graduation speech ideas further below in the article.

Once you choose a theme, make sure you commit to it and don’t go off track.

Grab the audience’s attention early

Whether it’s writing an essay or delivering a speech, hooking the audience from the word ‘go’ is imperative. That way, you generate interest early on and have them invested in what you have to say.

“How do I start my graduation speech” you may wonder.

You can start with an inspiring quote, a funny memory from college, an interesting anecdote, or a thoughtful question.

Cracking the first few sentences of a speech is always challenging and time-consuming. So, it’s a good idea to come back to it in the end and spend enough time coming up with a hook that truly engages the audience.

Structure the speech effectively

A well-structured speech flows organically and accentuates the storytelling. It forms the backbone of your speech, giving the audience reasons to remain invested.

The speech you write needs to have an introduction, body, and conclusion . The first part of the speech needs to be about introducing yourself and throwing light on the purpose (or theme) of your speech.

In the body of your speech, you need to elaborate on the central theme by stating relevant examples or experiences. You can mention notable incidents or turning points that led you to be the way you are.

Finally, conclude the speech with the lessons learned or what you took away from the incident (or your years in college). Make sure you end your speech on a memorable note because that’s what sticks the most with people.

Share anecdotes

Sharing anecdotes is all about narrating relevant stories stemming from personal experiences. They are an important tool to use while delivering speeches because they instantly help you connect with the audience and captivate them.

That’s not all. Studies also indicate that stories are easier to recall because they can activate up to 7 areas of the human brain.

Anecdotes infuse your speech with greater meaning and emphasize the point you’re trying to make.

Let your personality show

Regardless of whether you choose to memorize the entire speech or make bullet points for better recall, it’s essential to add a touch of ‘you’ in the speech.

Let your personality show through your writing and speech delivery. For instance, don’t try to be extra funny or sound like an intellectual only to impress.

It’s essential to be yourself while writing your graduation speech because anything other than that comes across as pretentious.

What’s more, with your family, friends, and teachers being part of the audience, you need to be doubly careful that you’re coming across as authentic and genuine because that’s the only way you can strike a connection and make an impact.

Practice! Practice! Practice!

No amount of practice will ever be enough when it comes to delivering a graduation speech in front of a huge audience.

So, once you’re done writing and are confident about the flow, structure, and content, get down to practicing it in front of the mirror and the people around you. Pay special attention to your hand gestures, talking speed, and pauses because they impact delivery.

If you have memorized the speech, make sure you don’t sound robotic. You need to speak with emotion and earnestness.

7 Creative Graduation Speech Themes

One of the most challenging parts of writing a graduation speech is choosing a theme. If you’re feeling uninspired or stuck, here are seven creative graduation speech ideas that you can take inspiration from.

Overcoming Adversity

Overcoming adversity is a theme that will resonate with most people. We may run away from adversities, but the truth is that they are part of our life.

Under this theme, you can talk about a few challenges you faced during your years in college, what you went through during that time, how you found the courage to rise above them, and the positive impact it had on your life.

Overcoming adversity is all about being resilient and turning those challenges into opportunities. So, talk about your journey such that it infuses hope in people.

Here’s Michelle Obama delivering her commencement speech at City College of New York, wherein she speaks about the importance of overcoming adversity.

“Dream big to achieve,” they say, and what better time to reiterate that than when you’re on the brink of stepping into a major new phase in your life?

‘Dream big’ is about believing in endless possibilities. It’s an inspiring thought that encourages people not to be afraid to chase their dreams and that no dream is small or hard to achieve.

You can also speak about what (or who) motivated you to dream big - was it a professor, a book you read, a movie you watched, or a turning point in your life?

Watch Denzel Washington speak about dreaming big during the commencement at Dillard University.

Never Stop Trying and Learning

This theme calls out to every person who has felt demotivated or has feared failure at some point in their lives. It’s about perseverance and not letting obstacles stop you from achieving greatness.

You should also highlight the importance of being lifelong learners. After all, life is the most outstanding teacher, and we must never stop learning, irrespective of age or experience.

Believe in Yourself

Another creative graduation speech idea that’s universal is ‘believing in yourself’. Self-esteem is not something we learn in school or college but is an exceptionally important part of our lives.

Talk about the importance of self-belief, how you were earlier, and what led you to look inwards and believe in yourself.

If you don’t believe in your capabilities, are ashamed of yourself, or keep comparing yourself to others, there’s no way you can progress in life. Moreover, this is the time (when you’re moving out of college and choosing a career ) to remind yourself (and your batchmates) to strive to become better versions of yourselves.

Here’s Mindy Kaling sharing practical advice on how to be confident and achieve your goals during the commencement at Dartmouth.

Embrace Failures

A lot of us spend our lives fearing failure without realizing that in failure lies success and growth. What matters is how you choose to perceive failure - you can get bogged down, or you can take it as a learning experience and move forward.

So, if you choose this as a theme, discuss some major failures you’ve encountered and how they altered your perspective. Nothing is more inspiring than listening to how one conquered their fears and learned from their failures.

Watch Oprah Winfrey deliver her address about embracing failures at Harvard University.

Power of Positive Thinking

Positive thinking is an attitude and way of life that has the power to bring about change.

Taking inspiration from this theme, you can speak about how one cannot control what happens to them. In fact, what is in our hands is the way we react to situations.

So, talk about how positive thinking has transformed your life and what sowed the seeds of optimism in your life.

Here’s Victor Antonio speaking about optimism and success during the commencement at the University of Phoenix.

Deal with Change

The fact that change is the only constant in life is possibly one of the greatest life lessons. The faster we realize that, the better it is. We need to learn how to deal with change and embrace it as it comes. Resisting it only makes it more challenging.

Think about the major upheavals or changes you’ve gone through right from your freshman to senior year. What setbacks did you encounter, and how did you deal with them?

Nobody enjoys change or uncertainty, but your speech needs to be about how embracing change enables you to thrive.

Here’s Meryl Streep’s commencement at Barnard, wherein she talks about the importance of dealing with and embracing change.

Writing and delivering a graduation speech in front of your entire batch, teachers, family, and friends is certainly unnerving. What helps is having a solid speech that will give you the courage and confidence to go out there and give it your best shot.

So, follow these seven tactics and creative graduation speech ideas to craft a graduation speech that is sure to impress.

Graduation is a milestone, and there should be no place for compromise regarding speech. If you’re worried you can’t do justice or are short of words, we at Writers Per Hour will be happy to help.

Our team of competent speech writers can write a well-structured, custom graduation speech to meet your requirements and deadline. So, write to us the next time you are in need of a graduation speech, and let us deliver one that will get you a resoundingly positive response.

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30 Heartwarming Preschool Graduation Quotes

By Med Kharbach, PhD | Last Update: May 28, 2024

According to Nuffield Foundation research, graduation for preschoolers is a significant milestone that celebrates their early achievements and marks the beginning of their educational journey. The research further found that this ceremony is not just a cute event but a crucial moment that acknowledges the progress they’ve made in developing essential skills like social interaction, basic academics, and emotional growth.

It instills a sense of accomplishment and confidence in the children, motivating them to embrace future learning experiences with enthusiasm. Recognizing their hard work and success at such a young age helps to build a strong foundation for their continued education, fostering a positive attitude towards learning and personal growth as they move into primary school and beyond.

Preschool Graduation Quotes

In this post, I compiled a collection of inspiring kindergarten graduation quotes to celebrate the achievements of our young graduates. Whether you are a teacher, parent, or family member, these quotes will help you express your pride and joy as you commemorate this special milestone in their educational journey.

1. “You’re off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting – so get on your way!” – Dr. Seuss

2. “Believe you can, and you can. Belief is one of the most powerful of all problem dissolvers. When you believe that a difficulty can be overcome, you are more than halfway to victory over it already.” —Norman Vincent Peale

3. “If you can dream it, you can do it!” – Walt Disney

4. “The more you learn, the more places you will go!” – Dr. Seuss

5. “Promise me you’ll remember: You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” —A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

6. “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

7. “I will not follow where the path may lead, but I will go where there is no path, and I will leave a trail.” —Muriel Strode

8. “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” – Dr. Seuss

9. “The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it.” —J.M. Barrie

10. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela

11 . “Kid, you’ll move mountains.” – Dr. Seuss

12. “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

13. “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” – Henry David Thoreau

14 . “Dream big, little one!” – Unknown

15. “The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.” – B.B. King

16. “Don’t just fly, soar.” – Dumbo

17. “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” – Charles Dederich

Related: 20 Fun Senior Prank Ideas

18. “You are capable of amazing things.” – Unknown

19 . “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” – Norman Vincent Peale

20 . “You’re never too little to dream big.” – Unknown

21. “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” – Peter Drucker

22. “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C.S. Lewis

23. “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela

24. “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde

25. “Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead.” – Nora Ephron

26. “You are stronger than you know, braver than you believe, and smarter than you think.” – Unknown

27. “Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.” – Chinese Proverb

28. “The future is bright, and it’s all yours!” – Unknown

29 . “Dreams don’t work unless you do.” – John C. Maxwell

30 . “Your life is your story, and the adventure ahead of you is the journey to fulfill your own purpose and potential.” – Kerry Washington

31 . “You’re off to great places. Today is your day. Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way.” – Dr. Seuss

32 . “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe

33. “The expert in anything was once a beginner.” – Helen Hayes

34 . “Anything is possible. Anything can be.” – Shel Silverstein

35. “There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.” – Walt Disney

36. “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” – John Dewey

37. “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success.” – Albert Schweitzer

38. “It’s not about being the best. It’s about being better than you were yesterday.” – Unknown

39. “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

40. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” – Lao Tzu

Related: 12 Popular Poems About Graduations

Final thoughts

In conclusion, I hope you find these kindergarten graduation quotes both inspiring and heartwarming. As you celebrate this important milestone, may these words bring joy and encouragement to the young graduates and remind them of the wonderful journey ahead. Here’s to their bright futures and all the incredible adventures yet to come!

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Meet Med Kharbach, PhD

Dr. Med Kharbach is an influential voice in the global educational technology landscape, with an extensive background in educational studies and a decade-long experience as a K-12 teacher. Holding a Ph.D. from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Canada, he brings a unique perspective to the educational world by integrating his profound academic knowledge with his hands-on teaching experience. Dr. Kharbach's academic pursuits encompass curriculum studies, discourse analysis, language learning/teaching, language and identity, emerging literacies, educational technology, and research methodologies. His work has been presented at numerous national and international conferences and published in various esteemed academic journals.

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Valedictorian Speech

Valedictorian speech generator.

You have been named valedictorian, congratulations! In writing your valedictorian speech, a speech outline is necessary. A speech outline will help you compose a well-organized valedictory speech. Speech outlines will help you identify the important details of your speech and put them in order. Simply put, speech outlines will be your guide from the beginning to the end of your speech composition.

What Is a Valedictorian Speech?

College valedictorian speech.

Graduation Valedictorian Speech

Short Valedictorian Speech

School Valedictorian Speech

Student Valedictorian Speech

Sample Valedictorian Speech

Valedictorian Nomination Speech

Class Valedictorian Speech

How to Start a Valedictorian Speech

Most great speeches are not created overnight. If you do not know where to begin, there are various speech templates and examples you may refer to. Now writing a valedictorian speech is an important responsibility that requires planning, creativity, and practice. Here are some steps to help you write a successful valedictorian speech:

Step 1: Brainstorming and Outlining

Begin by brainstorming ideas and organizing your thoughts into an outline. Consider your personal experiences, what you learned during your academic journey, and what you want to say to your peers and teachers. Write down all the key points that you want to include in your speech and organize them into a logical order. Read books and other  graduation speeches , and look for inspiring quotes and anecdotes to include in your speech.

Step 2: Introduction

Start your speech with an introduction that captures your audience’s attention. Consider using a personal story or a quote that relates to the occasion. This will help you connect with your audience and set the tone for the rest of your speech.

Step 3: Thanking the Teachers and Staff

Acknowledge the hard work and dedication of your teachers and staff members. Express gratitude for their support and guidance throughout your academic journey. This is an opportunity to recognize the efforts of those who helped you achieve your academic goals.

Step 4: Reflections on the Academic Journey

Reflect on your academic journey and share your personal insights with your audience. Discuss your experiences and challenges, and how you overcame them. Share your growth and achievements, as well as any lessons you have learned along the way. This is an opportunity to inspire your peers and offers valuable advice.

Step 5: Encouragement and Inspiration

Offer words of encouragement and inspiration to your peers as they embark on their next chapter in life. Share your hopes for their future success and emphasize the importance of perseverance, hard work, and dedication. You can also offer advice on how to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

Step 6: Conclusion

End your speech with a memorable conclusion that summarizes your key points and leaves a lasting impression on your audience. Consider using a call to action that encourages your peers to make a positive impact on the world. Here are samples of how to conclude a speech .

Step 7: Rehearsal

Practice your speech several times to ensure that you are comfortable with the content and delivery. This will help you build confidence and deliver your speech effectively.

What is the purpose of a valedictorian speech?

The purpose is to reflect on the graduating class’s experiences, celebrate achievements, and inspire classmates as they move forward.

Who delivers the valedictorian speech?

The highest-ranking student, known as the valedictorian, delivers the speech at the graduation ceremony.

How long should a valedictorian speech be?

A valedictorian speech typically lasts between 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the ceremony guidelines.

Should I rehearse my valedictorian speech?

Yes, practice multiple times to ensure smooth delivery, proper timing, and confidence during the actual presentation.

How can I make my valedictorian speech engaging?

Use humor, personal stories, and relatable experiences to connect with your audience and keep them interested.

How should I end a valedictorian speech?

End with a memorable conclusion, such as a quote, a call to action, or heartfelt best wishes for your classmates’ futures.

How do I start a valedictorian speech?

Begin with a greeting, a thank you to key individuals, and an engaging opening that captures the audience’s attention.

What should I include in a valedictorian speech?

Include personal anecdotes, reflections on school experiences, gratitude to teachers and parents, and an inspiring message for the future.

What should I avoid in my valedictorian speech?

Avoid negative remarks, controversial topics, and excessive self-praise. Focus on positivity, inclusivity, and inspiration.

Can I use multimedia in my valedictorian speech?

If allowed, incorporating multimedia elements like slideshows or videos can enhance your speech, but ensure they complement your message.

Text prompt

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Writing a Valedictorian Speech that inspires your classmates

How to craft a memorable Valedictorian Speech for graduation

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Commencement 2024

Honorary degree recipient Ken Burns delivers the Undergraduate Commencement speech at Brandeis University's 73rd Commencement Exercises on May 19, 2024.

Brandeisian, love it.

President Liebowitz, Ron, Chair Lisa Kranc, and other members of the board of trustees, Provost Carol Fierke, fellow honorees, distinguished faculty and staff, proud and relieved parents, calm and serene grandparents, distracted but secretly pleased siblings, ladies and gentlemen, graduating students of the class of 2024, good morning.

I am deeply honored and privileged that you have asked me here to say a few words at such a momentous occasion that you might find what I have to say worthy of your attention on so important a day in all of your lives. Thank you for this honor.

Listen, I am in the business of history. It is not always a happy subject on college campuses these days, particularly when forces seem determined to eliminate or water down difficult parts of our past, particularly when the subject may seem to sum an anachronistic and irrelevant pursuit, and particularly with the ferocious urgency this moment seems to exert on us. It is my job, however, to remind people of the power our past also exerts, to help us better understand what's going on now with compelling story, memory, and anecdote. It is my job to try to discern patterns and themes from history to enable us to interpret our dizzying and sometimes dismaying present.

For nearly 50 years now, I have diligently practiced and rigorously tried to maintain a conscious neutrality in my work, avoiding advocacy if I could, trying to speak to all of my fellow citizens. Over those many decades I've come to understand a significant fact, that we are not condemned to repeat, as the saying goes, what we don't remember. That is a beautiful, even poetic phrase, but not true. Nor are there cycles of history as the academic community periodically promotes. The Old Testament, Ecclesiastes to be specific, got it right, I think. What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again. There is nothing new under the sun. What those lines suggest is that human nature never changes or almost never changes. We continually superimpose that complex and contradictory human nature over the seemingly random chaos of events, all of our inherent strengths and weaknesses, our greed and generosity, our puritanism and our prurience, our virtue, and our venality parade before our eyes, generation after generation after generation. This often gives us the impression that history repeats itself. It does not. "No event has ever happened twice, it just rhymes," Mark Twain is supposed to have said. I have spent all of my professional life on the lookout for those rhymes, drawn inexorably to that power of history. I am interested in listening to the many varied voices of a true, honest, complicated past that is unafraid of controversy and tragedy, but equally drawn to those stories and moments that suggest an abiding faith in the human spirit, and particularly the unique role this remarkable and sometimes also dysfunctional republic seems to play in the positive progress of mankind.

During the course of my work, I have become acquainted with hundreds if not thousands of those voices. They have inspired, haunted, and followed me over the years. Some of them may be helpful to you as you try to imagine and make sense of the trajectory of your lives today.

Listen, listen. In January of 1838, shortly before his 29th birthday, a tall, thin lawyer prone to bouts of debilitating depression addressed the young men's lyceum in Springfield, Illinois. "At what point shall we expect the approach of danger?" He asked his audience, "Shall we expect some trans-Atlantic military giant to step the earth and crush us at a blow?" Then he answered his own question. "Never. All the armies of Europe, Asia, and Africa could not by force take a drink from the Ohio River or make a track on the Blue Ridge in a trial of a thousand years. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of free men, we must live through all time or die by suicide." It is a stunning, remarkable statement, one that has animated my own understanding of the American experience since I first read it more than 40 years ago. That young man was of course Abraham Lincoln, and he would go on to preside over the closest this country has ever come to near national suicide, our civil war, and yet embedded in his extraordinary, disturbing, and prescient words is also a fundamental optimism that implicitly acknowledges the geographical forcefield two mighty oceans east and west and two relatively benign neighbors north and south have provided for us since the British burned the White House in the War of 1812 and inspired Francis Scott Key.

Lincoln's words that day suggest what is so great and so good about the people who happen to inhabit this lucky and exquisite country of ours. That's the world you now inherit: our work ethic and our restlessness, our innovation and our improvisation, our communities and our institutions of higher learning, our suspicion of power. The fact that we seem resolutely dedicated to parsing the meaning between individual and collective freedom; What I want versus what we need. That we are all so dedicated to understanding what Thomas Jefferson really meant when he wrote that mysterious phrase, "The pursuit of happiness". Hint, it happens right here in the lifelong learning and perpetual improvement this university is committed to.

But the isolation of those two oceans has also helped to incubate habits and patterns less beneficial to us: our devotion to money and guns and conspiracies, our certainty about everything, our stubborn insistence on our own exceptionalism blinding us to that which needs repair, especially with regard to race and ethnicity. Our preoccupation with always making the other wrong at an individual as well as a global level. I am reminded of what the journalist I.F. Stone once said to a young acolyte who was profoundly disappointed in his mentor's admiration for Thomas Jefferson. "It's because history is tragedy," Stone admonished him, "Not melodrama." It's the perfect response. In melodrama all villains are perfectly villainous and all heroes are perfectly virtuous, but life is not like that. You know that in your guts and nor is our history like that. The novelist, Richard Powers recently wrote that, "The best arguments in the world," — and ladies and gentlemen, that's all we do is argue — "the best arguments in the world," he said, "Won't change a single person's point of view. The only thing that can do that is a good story." I've been struggling for most of my life to do that, to try to tell good, complex, sometimes contradictory stories, appreciating nuance and subtlety and undertow, sharing the confusion and consternation of unreconciled opposites.

But it's clear as individuals and as a nation we are dialectically preoccupied. Everything is either right or wrong, red state or blue state, young or old, gay or straight, rich or poor, Palestinian or Israeli, my way or the highway. Everywhere we are trapped by these old, tired, binary reactions, assumptions, and certainties. For filmmakers and faculty, students and citizens, that preoccupation is imprisoning. Still, we know and we hear and we express only arguments, and by so doing, we forget the inconvenient complexities of history and of human nature. That, for example, three great religions, their believers, all children of Abraham, each professing at the heart of their teaching, a respect for all human life, each with a central connection to and legitimate claim to the same holy ground, violate their own dictates of conduct and make this perpetually contested land a shameful graveyard. God does not distinguish between the dead. "Could you?"

[Audience applauding]

"Could you?" A very wise person I know with years of experience with the Middle East recently challenged me, "Could you hold the idea that there could be two wrongs and two rights?"

Listen, listen. In a filmed interview I conducted with the writer James Baldwin, more than 40 years ago, he said, "No one was ever born who agreed to be a slave, who accepted it. That is, slavery is a condition imposed from without. Of course, the moment I say that," Baldwin continued, "I realize that multitudes and multitudes of people for various reasons of their own enslave themselves every hour of every day to this or that doctrine, this or that delusion of safety, this or that lie. Anti-Semites, for example," he went on, "are slaves to a delusion. People who hate Negroes are slaves. People who love money are slaves. We are living in a universe really of willing slaves, which makes the concept of liberty and the concept of freedom so dangerous," he finished. Baldwin is making a profoundly psychological and even spiritual statement, not just a political or racial or social one. He knew, just as Lincoln knew, that the enemy is often us. We continue to shackle ourselves with chains we mistakenly think is freedom.

Another voice, Mercy Otis Warren, a philosopher and historian during our revolution put it this way, "The study of the human character at once opens a beautiful and a deformed picture of the soul. We there find a noble principle implanted in the nature of people, but when the checks of conscience are thrown aside, humanity is obscured." I have had the privilege for nearly half a century of making films about the US, but I have also made films about us. That is to say the two letter, lowercase, plural pronoun. All of the intimacy of "us" and also "we" and "our" and all of the majesty, complexity, contradiction, and even controversy of the US. And if I have learned anything over those years, it's that there's only us. There is no them. And whenever someone suggests to you, whomever it may be in your life that there's a them, run away. Othering is the simplistic binary way to make and identify enemies, but it is also the surest way to your own self imprisonment, which brings me to a moment I've dreaded and forces me to suspend my longstanding attempt at neutrality.

There is no real choice this November. There is only the perpetuation, however flawed and feeble you might perceive it, of our fragile 249-year-old experiment or the entropy that will engulf and destroy us if we take the other route. When, as Mercy Otis Warren would say, "The checks of conscience are thrown aside and a deformed picture of the soul is revealed." The presumptive Republican nominee is the opioid of all opioids, an easy cure for what some believe is the solution to our myriad pains and problems. When in fact with him, you end up re-enslaved with an even bigger problem, a worse affliction and addiction, "a bigger delusion", James Baldwin would say, the author and finisher of our national existence, our national suicide as Mr. Lincoln prophesies. Do not be seduced by easy equalization. There is nothing equal about this equation. We are at an existential crossroads in our political and civic lives. This is a choice that could not be clearer.

Listen, listen. 33 years ago, the world lost a towering literary figure. The novelist and storyteller, not arguer, Isaac Bashevis Singer. For decades he wrote about God and myth and punishment, fate and sexuality, family and history. He wrote in Yiddish a marvelously expressive language, sad and happy all at the same time. Sometimes maddeningly all knowing, yet resigned to God's seemingly capricious will. It is also a language without a country, a dying language in a world more interested in the extermination or isolation of its long suffering speakers. Singer, writing in the pages of the Jewish Daily Forward help to keep Yiddish alive. Now our own wonderfully mongrel American language is punctuated with dozens of Yiddish words and phrases, parables and wise sayings, and so many of those words are perfect onomatopoeias of disgust and despair, hubris and humor. If you've ever met a schmuck, you know what I'm talking about. [audience laughs] Toward the end of his long and prolific life, Singer expressed wonder at why so many of his books written in this obscure and some said useless language would be so widely translated, something like 56 countries all around the world. "Why," he would wonder with his characteristic playfulness, "Why would the Japanese care about his simple stories of life in the shtetls of Eastern Europe 1,000 years ago?" "Unless," Singer paused, twinkle in his eye, "Unless the story spoke of the kinship of the soul." I think what Singer was talking about was that indefinable something that connects all of us together, that which we all share as part of organic life on this planet, the kinship of the soul. I love that.

Okay, let me speak directly to the graduating class. Watch out, here comes the advice. Listen. Be curious, not cool. Insecurity makes liars of us all. Remember, none of us get out of here alive. The inevitable vicissitudes of life, no matter how well gated our communities, will visit us all. Grief is a part of life, and if you explore its painful precincts, it will make you stronger. Do good things, help others. Leadership is humility and generosity squared. Remember the opposite of faith is not doubt. Doubt is central to faith. The opposite of faith is certainty. The kinship of the soul begins with your own at times withering self-examination. Try to change that unchangeable human nature of Ecclesiastes, but start with you. "Nothing so needs reforming," Mark Twain once chided us, "As other people's habits." [audience laughs]

Don't confuse success with excellence. Do not descend too deeply into specialism. Educate all of your parts, you will be healthier. Do not get stuck in one place. "Travel is fatal to prejudice," Twain also said. Be in nature, which is always perfect and where nothing is binary. Its sheer majesty may remind you of your own atomic insignificance, as one observer put it, but in the inscrutable and paradoxical ways of wild places, you will feel larger, inspirited, just as the egotist in our midst is diminished by his or her self regard.

At some point, make babies, one of the greatest things that will happen to you, I mean it, one of the greatest things that will happen to you is that you will have to worry, I mean really worry, about someone other than yourself. It is liberating and exhilarating, I promise. Ask your parents.

[Audience laughs]

Choose honor over hypocrisy, virtue over vulgarity, discipline over dissipation, character over cleverness, sacrifice over self-indulgence. Do not lose your enthusiasm, in its Greek etymology the word enthusiasm means simply, "god in us". Serve your country. Insist that we fight the right wars. Denounce oppression everywhere.

Convince your government, as Lincoln understood that the real threat always and still comes from within this favored land. Insist that we support science and the arts, especially the arts.

[Audience cheering]

They have nothing to do with the actual defense of our country; They just make our country worth defending.

Remember what Louis Brandeis said, "The most important political office is that of the private citizen." Vote. You indelibly... [audience applauding] Please, vote. You indelibly underscore your citizenship, and most important, our kinship with each other when you do. Good luck and godspeed.

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