Throughout the school year in the music room, each child sings a short four-note vocal assessment, three times per grading period. The kids know this process as “Singing with Larry.” Larry, a lizard puppet, encourages the children to sing so I can assess their pitch-matching abilities, as well as their vocal health.

If I hear anything suspicious in a child’s voice, I monitor it to make sure the hoarseness isn’t just allergies or a cold. If I've directed you to this page on my website, it's because I’ve heard a hoarseness in your child’s voice several times, and it isn’t getting better on its own. I recommend that you take your child to an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor, (ENT) also known as an Otolaryngologist.

Unlike a regular pediatrician, these specialists have the tools necessary to see your child’s vocal cords to ensure they do not have nodules, polyps or other structures on their cords, which can cause hoarseness.

"What’s the big deal about hoarseness?" Hoarseness can impede your child’s ability to communicate effectively. If your doctor finds nodules or anything else of concern, please let me know so I can appropriately adapt the music class activities for them. If you have any questions, you may contact me by phone before the school year ends, or via email during the summer.

SING-cerely,

Rachel Krumenauer – Wilson General Music Specialist

rkrumenauer@mtsd.k12.wi.us

262.238.4649

Phonotrauma in Children

Management and Treatment

by Janet H Middendorf

http://shar.es/VqkWX

Rehabilitation of children with phonotrauma, or vocal abuse, involves much more than simply eliminating traumatic behaviors. It involves changing the culture of the home to help parents help their children change vocal habits. Click on the link above to read a great article about this.