Note: This newsletter is best viewed in your browser for full access to all content.
A recent question on the Musicplay Teachers Facebook Page asked, “I’ve taught my students the poem This Is My Speaking Voice — what other resources are available on MusicplayOnline to help students find their singing voice?”
Helping children develop their singing voices is at the heart of MusicplayOnline. Every child comes to school with unique experiences — some already singing confidently, others still exploring how to match pitch or discover their “head voice.” Through playful songs, chants, and games, students gain the repetition and listening experiences they need to hear and produce pitch accurately.
Click on the video below to watch a teaching demo with Melody the Elephant!
Some children may not yet notice the difference between their singing and speaking voices. They often rely on their familiar chest voice and may not realize they can explore higher pitches or a lighter “head” voice. Encouraging them to experiment helps build pitch awareness, vocal range, and confidence in their singing.
Practice distinguishing between speaking and singing voices by introducing a toy elephant named Melody. Melody the elephant will do what the children tell her, if they tell her in a “singing voice.” It’s also great to encourage solo singing. You can soon tell who is matching pitch and who you need to work with when they sing to Melody.
Vocal exploration helps children hear and feel different pitches and registers (for example, chest voice vs. head voice) rather than simply defaulting to their speaking voice. It supports pitch awareness and the ability to match or produce pitch accurately — a key part of singing in tune. For example, one study found that children with more sensitive pitch‑discrimination abilities had better vocal responses when singing. (See the full study here: “Relationships between vocal pitch perception and production: a developmental perspective” — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32127585/)
The Vocal Exploration Cards are available on MusicplayOnline as a printable or video. Here are some teaching ideas:
Use a finger, flashlight, or pointer to follow the images while making the high and low sounds shown.
Arrange the flashcards in different sequences to create vocal exploration “compositions.”
Encourage students to create their own designs using strings, pipe cleaners, or drawings.
Solo singing is key to developing a child’s voice. It helps students build confidence, match pitch, explore their vocal range, and develop breath control and musical independence. Vocal teacher Anita Morrison explains, “Children lacking in vocal instruction mostly gravitate to the chest voice… Opportunities for solo singing allow children to safely explore higher registers and develop healthy vocal habits.”
A fun way to try this in class is Beat Buddy Family Reunion by Artie Almeida from Sing! Sing! Sing! — students can sing solo while holding a “stuffy,” which helps them feel safe and supported.
Teaching Suggestions:
MORE! Songs and Games with Solo Singing Opportunities on MusicplayOnline:
Wednesday, November 12th, 2025 @ 4:30-5:30 MST (60 Minutes)
A recorded version will be available if you are unable to watch live.
Performances provide music students with many valuable learning experiences, yet they can be a huge source of stress for music teachers. Joyce will present a variety of ideas ranging from quick assembly ideas to full concert performances, as well as tips for planning. This session will offer a number of tried and true performance ideas for music teachers to use for big and small events throughout the school year. Effective concert planning and management strategies will also be included. Session will start with upcoming special days, ie) Hallowe’en, Remembrance Day, Christmas, and the continue with ideas for the remainder of the school year.
We wanted to take the opportunity to share some updates from the team:
Our team has been hard at working creating new content! Here are some of our newest additions: