Teach Your Kids the Magic of Diaphragmatic Breathing for Better Singing ♫ Singing With Kids

Hello Parents,

If your child loves to sing, you’ve probably noticed how important breathing is for hitting those high notes or holding a tune. But did you know there’s a special way of breathing that can make singing even better? It’s called diaphragmatic breathing, and it’s not just great for the voice; it’s fantastic for overall health too.

Whether your young one is a budding superstar or just loves to sing their heart out, diaphragmatic breathing can make a world of difference. This kind of deep, belly breathing helps kids sing better and feel more relaxed. In this blog, we’ll go over what it is, why it’s important, and how you can easily teach it to your children.

For a fun, kid-friendly explanation of how the diaphragm works, you can watch Operation Ouch – The Diaphragm | Science for Kids.

Table of Contents

What is Diaphragmatic Breathing?

You might be wondering what this fancy term ‘diaphragmatic breathing’ really means. Well, it all starts with a special muscle called the diaphragm. This muscle sits at the bottom of the lungs and looks like a dome.

How the Diaphragm Works

When we breathe in, the diaphragm moves down. This makes room for the lungs to expand and fill up with air. When we breathe out, the diaphragm moves back up, helping to push the air out of the lungs.

Natural Breathers

Here’s the interesting thing: kids are natural diaphragmatic breathers when they’re young! If you watch a baby breathe, you’ll see their belly go up and down. That’s the diaphragm at work. But as kids grow and life gets busy, many shift to what is called ‘chest breathing.’ Chest breathing is shallower and not as good for singing or for health.

So, while your child might have been a pro at this when they were a baby, chances are they’ve switched to a less helpful way of breathing as they’ve grown. The good news is, it’s never too late to go back to the basics!

For a deeper dive into how our breathing system works, check out Respiratory System | The Dr. Binocs Show | Learn Videos For Kids.

Why Should Kids Learn It?

So, you might be wondering, “Why should my child learn diaphragmatic breathing?” Well, the benefits are many, and they aren’t just for singing.

Better Singing

Longer, Steadier Notes: Diaphragmatic breathing allows for more air in the lungs. This means your child can sing longer notes without running out of breath.
More Control: Using the diaphragm helps in controlling the voice better. This means fewer shaky or off-pitch notes.

Health Benefits

Better Use of Oxygen: This type of breathing helps the body use oxygen better. It’s good for the brain and the whole body.
Relaxation and Calm: Deep breathing can help your child feel more relaxed and less stressed.
Slower Heartbeat: Diaphragmatic breathing can even slow down the heart rate. This is especially helpful if your child gets nervous before a performance.

More Energy for Singing

And let’s not forget, singing takes energy! Learning how to breathe this way can give your child more stamina for those long singing sessions or performances.

For a deeper dive into the health benefits, you can read this article by Harvard Health or watch this informative video Diaphragmatic Breathing Technique.

How to Teach Your Kids Diaphragmatic Breathing

Now that we know what it is and why it’s good, let’s get into how to actually do it. Teaching this to your child is easier than you think. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Get Comfortable

First, have your child lie down on a flat surface, like a bed or a mat. They can bend their knees if that’s more comfortable. You can also put pillows under their head and knees if they like.

Step 2: Hand Positions

Ask them to put one hand on the upper part of their chest and the other hand on their belly, just below the ribcage. This helps them feel what’s happening when they breathe.

Step 3: Breathe In

Tell them to take a slow breath in through the nose. Make sure they focus on making the hand on their belly rise. The hand on the chest should stay still.

Step 4: Breathe Out

When breathing out, ask them to use their belly muscles to push the air out. The hand on the belly should go down back to its original place. Encourage them to exhale through their mouth, like they are blowing out a candle.

Step 5: Practice

The more they do it, the better they’ll get. Aim for 5 to 10 minutes of practice, several times a day.

For a practical demonstration, you can watch this video: Diaphragmatic Breathing Technique.

Conclusion

Diaphragmatic breathing is not just a tool for adult singers. It’s a simple but powerful way to help your child sing better, feel better, and even live better. It helps with holding longer and steadier notes, brings a host of health benefits, and gives your child more energy for singing.

Take the Next Step

If you found this guide helpful, don’t stop here. We have plenty more resources to help your little singer shine. Check out our other articles on the benefits of singing for health and how families can bond through singing together.

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For those who want to dive deeper, here are some additional resources:

Happy singing!

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Teach Your Kids the Magic of Diaphragmatic Breathing for Better Singing