Featuring Carrie Clark and Kristie Knickerbocker on The Speechie Show

Working with children who have voice disorders can feel intimidating, especially if it’s been a while since grad school. In this episode of The Speechie Show, Carrie Clark chats with Kristie Knickerbocker of A Tempo Voice Center, who shares five straightforward strategies to make therapy more effective and engaging.

Flow phonation helps children who squeeze their vocal folds too tightly. Kristie suggests using a simple visual like a torn strip of tissue. The child practices blowing air and gradually adding about 20 percent voice, then moves into words and sentences. The goal is smooth, easy voicing without tension.

Always begin after ENT clearance to avoid further vocal-fold damage.

Hydration—both inside and out—is key. Kristie recommends limiting exposure to second-hand smoke, avoiding caffeine, and teaching kids not to yell for long periods. Her free printable bookmarks make vocal-hygiene reminders fun and age-appropriate.

Using a straw in a cup of water, children blow bubbles and add sound to reduce tension and improve coordination. Kristie advises medium-diameter straws and creative touches—colored water or glitter (without sipping!)—to keep practice playful and consistent.

Resonant voice focuses on forward, facial vibration rather than throat tension. Starting with humming helps children feel the buzz in their nose and cheeks. Kristie demonstrates moving between back-of-throat and forward hums so kids can sense the difference, then transfer the skill into words and conversation.

Phonotrauma happens when vocal folds collide too hard or too often—like with shouting, throat clearing, or harsh coughing. Teach diaphragmatic “birthday-candle” breathing: inhale to expand the belly, exhale while gently tightening the abs, and speak on that relaxed breath. Games that measure how long a child can speak on one breath make practice motivating.