Voice facts for kids
A voice is the sound we make when we speak or sing. It's how we share our thoughts and feelings with others. When someone sings, the musical part made by their voice is called vocals. Sometimes, people cannot make a sound with their voice; this is called muteness. Many terrestrial animals, especially those with backbones (called vertebrates), also have a voice.
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How We Make Sounds
Our voice comes from a special part of our body called the voice box, or larynx. It's in our throat. Inside the larynx are two small bands of muscle called vocal cords (or vocal folds). When we want to speak or sing, air from our lungs pushes up through the larynx. This air makes the vocal cords vibrate, or shake very fast.
The Role of Vocal Cords
The way our vocal cords vibrate creates the sound of our voice. If they vibrate quickly, we make a high-pitched sound. If they vibrate slowly, we make a low-pitched sound. We can change how tight or loose our vocal cords are, which changes the pitch of our voice. Our tongue, teeth, and lips then shape these sounds into words.
Voice and Communication
Our voice is a very important tool for communication. It allows us to talk to friends, tell stories, and express emotions. We can tell if someone is happy, sad, or excited just by the sound of their voice. Singers use their voices to create beautiful music, and actors use theirs to bring characters to life.
Animal Voices
Just like humans, many animals use their voices to communicate. Dogs bark, cats meow, and birds chirp. These sounds help them talk to each other, warn about danger, or find mates. For example, a bird's song can tell other birds where its territory is or that it's looking for a partner.
Images for kids
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The spectrogram of the human voice shows its many different sounds.
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A diagram showing the vocal folds or cords inside the throat.
See also
In Spanish: Voz humana para niños
