As a parent, you want your child to succeed in their academic pursuits, and speech and debate tournaments are a fantastic way for them to develop critical thinking, public speaking, and communication skills. However, many parents may feel uncomfortable judging these tournaments, unsure of their ability to provide useful feedback or critique.

Despite these concerns, judging speech and debate tournaments is an incredibly valuable experience for both parents and their children. By serving as a judge, parents have the opportunity to observe the communication skills of other students and gain a better understanding of what judges look for in a successful speech or debate performance. Additionally, the feedback and critique provided by parents can help to improve their child's own skills and understanding of the subject matter.

Furthermore, judging tournaments allows parents to connect with other parents and members of the community, building strong relationships and fostering a sense of involvement in their child's academic life. Finally, it's important to remember that judging tournaments is a crucial part of the speech and debate community, and without the participation of parents and other volunteers, these tournaments simply would not be possible.

So, while it's understandable to feel unsure about judging speech and debate tournaments, there are many benefits to doing so. Not only will parents be able to support their child's academic growth and development, but they will also be contributing to the success and vitality of the speech and debate community as a whole.