Voice

Voice

If your child is having difficulty with their voice, try to reduce situations where your child is yelling or talking over the top of noise. Encourage periods of quiet activities to give the voice a rest.

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How do I know if my child has a voice problem?

A child may have difficulty with their voice when it frequently sounds:

  • rough or hoarse 
  • husky
  • nasal (like they are talking through their nose)
  • unusual or different to their friends' voices

Some tamariki (children) may lose their voice completely at times.

Graphic of child sitting on floor and playing with connector toys

How can I help my child with a voice problem?

Avoid yelling

Try to reduce situations where your child is yelling. For example, try not to yell across a room or playground instead, encourage them to walk over to talk to someone.

Have a quiet environment 

Try to reduce situations where your child is talking over the top of noise; like loud music. 

Encourage quiet activities

Encourage periods of quiet activities to give the voice a rest; such as looking at books or doing a craft activity.

Who should I talk to if I am concerned about my child's voice?

If you have any concerns about your child's voice talk to your child's doctor who may refer your child to a specialist or a speech language therapist.

References

If you would like to look at anything in more detail, this list of references might be a good starting point.

Acknowledgements

The content on this page has been produced in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and adapted from Much more than words | Manuka takoto, kawea ake (2014).

This page last reviewed 08 December 2023.

Call Healthline on 0800 611 116 any time of the day or night for free health advice when you need it