Exploring Different Voices

Help the children to understand some of the different ways in which they can use their voices, by encouraging conscious controlled usage of different voices:

• talking voice - our everyday voice

• shouting voice - they should be aware of this voice, but use it very sparingly!

• whispering voice

• high, squeaky voice

• low, grumpy voice

• more unusual voices, e.g. robot, posh, different accents, holding noses,

• singing voice - N.B. always sing when using the singing voice!

Use familiar rhymes to try out the different voices as well as this simple question:

Teacher: Have you got your talking voice?

Children: Yes, I’ve got my talking voice.

Use shouting, whispering, squeaky, grumpy, robot and singing voices.

Mix them up and revisit them so that the children have to listen.

Make sure that you always sing when you use the singing voice!

Learning New Songs

When learning any new song, begin by speaking the words slowly, asking the children to copy each line after you. Once they are confident, experiment with different voices either all the way through or even for different lines. This helps the children to become familiar with the words and also give plenty of extra opportunity to explore different voices.