Fear and anxiety robs a child of his natural energy and vibrant voice.
Childhood anxiety has become epidemic in proportion. Children are feeling unbearable panic that manifests itself as school anxiety, separation anxiety and social anxiety. Some people blame the child for just wanting attention or blame the parents for spoiling their children. But intense anxiety causes real panic and real suffering.
When battling anxiety the struggle just to get through the day can be so exhausting that you feel weak and disinterested in life. The speaking voice becomes weak and barely audible. To speak a few words can feel like more exertion than it’s worth leaving a child literally without a voice.
Anxiety begins in the psyche then takes up residence in the body where it causes all sorts of havoc. The breastbone caves in, the shoulders get tight and hunched and the neck turtles forward. When posture is collapsed, so is the mechanism that produces speech. Since the body is the instrument that produces speech a child’s ability to speak with a strong voice is literally squashed.
Giving voice to feelings, wants and needs is essential to strong self-confidence. Encouraging good posture is the first step to easier, more natural vocalization. The simpler the physical action of producing sound, the more readily your child will be to speak up for himself.
Begin by playing around with your child as you try to stand like a Superhero. Give each other pointers on what a Superhero looks like. Bold stance, open chest, hands on hips. Have fun with it keeping in mind that there is no right or wrong. Then try the Superhero Self-Esteem” vocal exercises below.
Voice Exercise 1
You be the orchestra conductor. Use a pencil or other object as a baton. Establish what your conducting movements mean. Small arm movements equal small sounds, large arm movements from the conductor equal loud sounds.
If your child is really having trouble speaking, let her be the conductor and you respond. Be playful and have fun. Then you take your turn as conductor and start small. Ask her to say her name very, very soft then gradually increase your arm movements encouraging her to say it louder and louder and louder. Please no judgment on your part, just cheer her on. Remember that any progress is good. It is hard to overcome vocal challenges. Give your child credit for every small increment of increased volume.
Repeat this exercise often to accustom your child to using a strong voice. Your child will feel self-assured.
Voice Exercise 2
Adding physical activity to sound is a great way to unlock the voice. March in place with your child and count to 10 (or 20 or 30) in a strong voice. The physical action of marching connects the voice to the body for stronger, more supported vocal production.
March right alongside your child to give him support and to let him know that it’s ok. Repetition of this exercise will make the voice grow stronger.
Be playful and have fun!