Healthy Vocal Habits

"BOBBY! COME HERE!!!!!!"

These days we all find ourselves raising our voices from time to time at the children we brought into the world and even sometimes at the children we work with day to day. Over time, all the screaming, along with other environmental factors, can make a heavy impact on our voices!  This summer I had the very special opportunity to learn all about voice from THE specialist of our state at a local voice clinic. I learned some really fascinating things about head and neck cancer, vocal nodules/"singer's nodules," and tracheo-oesophageal punctures (TEP), dysphonia, and many other voice disorders.  

I picked up some very valuable tips from my supervisor about how to maintain healthy vocal hygiene and I'd like to share some of those with you.  

Tips for healthy vocal hygiene for your children!

Does this look familiar?

• Instead of shouting across a room, get closer to the person you are trying to talk to 

• Designate time out of the day for quiet time where there is no talking at all (every hour, for ten minutes, or three times a day for 30 minutes, for example)

• Draw, paint, color, type, or scribble thoughts or ideas down to talk to mom or dad about 

• Don't whisper! Whispering makes the voice worse. Instead, use softer voice that still makes sound, but with little effort.

• Read a book to yourself instead of out loud during quiet time

• Drink lots and lots of water!

Enjoy! And use healthy voice habits!