Have the kids breathe in through their noses and out through their mouths. Encourage the kids to direct air into their stomachs and diaphragms instead of their chests. Have them place their hands on their stomachs and tell them to direct air so their stomachs rise. Have the kids count when they breathe. Have them inhale for 4 counts and then exhale for 4 counts.
Don’t worry if the child does not hit notes perfectly right away. The point is to get a rough feel of their pitch. You can work on accuracy later.
If you’re not a singer yourself, you can always play the child songs by talented vocalists. If you’re a teacher, encourage parents to sing to their kids at home.
If you’re a parent, download recordings of such songs online. Play them in the background while the kids are playing or doing chores to bring music into their lives.
It can help to use a pitch gauge to make sure everyone is in tune. To keep children invested, offer small rewards during the game. You can hand out stickers when the kids match the pitch, for instance.
Examples include things like “Camp Town Races,” “I Met a Bear,” and “The Green Grass Grew All Around. "
If you’re teaching a class, try asking the kids to make up their own songs in teams.
Extracurriculars don’t always have to be directly related to singing. Things like band and even a music appreciate course can help develop the child’s singing skills.
Look for a voice teacher with experience working with children. Children respond to different teaching methods than adults, so they’ll benefit from a teacher who knows how to talk to kids.
