Help your child sing!
"If you can walk, you can dance. If you can talk, you can sing!"
-A saying from Zimbabwe
Contrary to popular belief, singing is not a talent that only some of us are born with, but it is a learned and practiced skill. It is just like learning a different language, and one that is used all over the world. In music class, children learn various vocal techniques and practice singing properly but often do not use their learned skills outside of the music room. This can often be because they are told things that are incorrect or because they are trying to sound like vocalists on the radio. Here are some common questions about singing and some easy ways for you to practice at home.
My child shouts instead of sings. What can I do?
We have 4 different voices: speaking, singing, whispering, and calling (or shouting). Young children in kindergarten or 1st grade often confuse singing loudly with shouting or speaking loudly. Comparing and contrasting these different voices will help your child to know the difference. This will also reinforce what we learn in music class at this age.
A simple reminder could just be, "Are you using your singing voice?"
You could also encourage your child to use their "light voice."
A simple reminder could just be, "Are you using your singing voice?"
You could also encourage your child to use their "light voice."
My child speaks and sings in a very low voice. What can I do?
We do several vocal pitch exploration exercises throughout the elementary grades to help children find the correct placement for their singing voice. Most of us speak using mainly the lowest register of our voices. Children who are timid and have not explored high sounds with their speaking voice will have difficulty reaching higher notes with their singing voice. Here are some ideas to solve this problem:
- Make siren sounds from high to low.
- Make a high "Mmmm" or sighing sound.
- Be a kitten and make a high "meow."
- Whimper like a puppy.
- Draw a shape in the air on a piece of paper and follow the shape with your voice on "ooo."
- Toss a ball or another object up in the air and follow it with your voice on "ooo" or "whooo."
- Read a book with different high sounding voices.
- Guide children to identify high, middle, and low sounds that they or you make with their/your voice.
- Avoid judgmental attitudes about singing like, "I can't sing" or "I don't have a good voice." Voices are neither good nor bad. They just ARE.
- Help your child to feel good about learning about different parts of their voice.
Sing everyday!
In order to learn a skill, it must be practiced and refined over time. Singing is fun and can be a great family activity. Teach your children songs that you know from your childhood like folk songs, patriotic songs, songs from your faith, or any other songs you might know! Families that sing daily help their child to practice and to create new brain pathways that improve language skills. As with anything, the more exposure your children have to music, the easier it they will learn about it.
Don't be afraid to have fun with your voice!
If you are not shy about exploring sounds with your voice, your child will most likely not be shy either. See if your child can match the sounds you make with your voice including low, middle, and high pitches.
It's okay to sing in the car!
Where do we spend most of our time? In the car! Why not put in your favorite CD or you child's favorite CD and sing along? The car is a wonderful, safe enviornment to sing in. No one can hear you, and you get to sing songs you love. What could be better!? So next time you are driving to soccer practice, get there while singing. Not only will it help your child's ability to sing better, but it might just relieve some stress and allow you to relax as well.
Online Resources for Songs
Here a few places that you can go to on the internet to help with singing traditional music with your children:
The American Folksong Collection
Contains hundreds of folk songs, many of which your children will learn in music class. It requires a special plugin to view and hear the music, but it is completely safe and free!
National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences
Find lyrics and audio files for a ton of folk, children, patriotic, and holiday songs!
Mama Lisa's World
Contains music from around the world. Many songs include not only the lyrics but also recordings and videos of performances or games!
The American Folksong Collection
Contains hundreds of folk songs, many of which your children will learn in music class. It requires a special plugin to view and hear the music, but it is completely safe and free!
National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences
Find lyrics and audio files for a ton of folk, children, patriotic, and holiday songs!
Mama Lisa's World
Contains music from around the world. Many songs include not only the lyrics but also recordings and videos of performances or games!
"The only thing better than singing is more singing."
-Ella Fitzgerald
Singing is a lifelong skill that will never leave you. It is my goal that your child will become confident with using their voice to sing anywhere and anytime in their life. Credit for the information above is given to Karen Hartung.