How to Teach Children to Stretch and Prepare to Sing

Different methods can be used to engage children when teaching them how to sing. One method is to stretch with them before you start singing. You'll want to stretch out different parts of the body to relax the muscles. This technique can also keep them occupied between each song that you sing.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Stretch the muscles in their faces. Show them some silly faces that they can make and encourage them to think of their own funny expressions.
2. Instruct them to use their hands to push their cheeks together. This stretch loosens up their lips, so that they are prepared when you start a song.
3. Tell the children to open and close their mouths. This stretch is helpful at stretching out their mouths, so that they can sing clearer and move their mouths with ease during a song.
4. Move the whole body. Ask the children to reach their hands to their toes and then up towards the sky. The whole body is put at ease and ready to start a new song.

Tips & Warnings

• After you stretch the body, you can work with the kids on stretching out their vocal cords. You'll instruct them to perform runs that prepare their voice to sing.
• You want to keep the stretching period relatively short in order to keep the children's attention on singing.