I have found that large families appreciate activities that include the entire family. One such activity that the Jeubs have enjoyed immensely has been speech and debate. In fact, the only nationally recognized homeschool extracurricular activity is academic speech and debate. The National Christian Forensics and Communication Association (NCFCA) is in its 10th year of existence, and the Jeubs are very involved.

There is a documentary on the NCFCA that Monument Publishing has made available for a low price. This documentary, Soli Deo Gloria, shows the intense demands and great rewards of young people who get involved in this activity. The league is arranged for 12-18 year olds to get involved, but in communities across the nation junior tournaments (ages 3-11) allow younger kids to get involved. Every year in Colorado Springs, my kids–about 6-8 of them–practice speeches to give at our yearly Junior Tournament. The teens in the state’s league coordinate and judge the juniors.

Speech and debate is at the heart of my book, Jeub’s Complete Guide to Speech & Debate. In this book, I make the strong argument that communication skills is the most important academic activity to teach a child. From toddler age, kids can learn the arts of literary interpretation, oratory, impromptu and, yes, even debate. My book brings parents through the rewarding steps in teaching communication skills.

For now, please download the trailer to the NCFCA documentary, Soli Deo Gloria.”To the glory of God alone” will certainly inspire you and your family to inquire about the great opportunity to “train the mind for action” (1 Peter 1:13).