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.
How to help your 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 to talk to if you are concerned about your child's voice
If you have any concerns about your child's voice talk to your health professional who may refer your child to a specialist or a speech language therapist.
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).
