Why the Singing / Straw™ Sili Is A “Kid-Sized” WIN for Vocal Coaches

At the time of me writing this: it’s 7:04 AM.

My youngest is using one of our Sili straws as a lightsaber.

My oldest is singing “Into the Unknown” at a volume previously only measured by NASA.

I’m partially caffeinated, wearing one sock, questioning all my life choices… and yet? 

I’m weirdly calm.

Because I know their vocal folds are getting a gentle, supportive warm-up.

And nobody has chipped a tooth. (Yet.)

Kids + Singing = Chaos (But Also Magic)

As both a vocal coach and a mom of two (very loud) boys, I’ve learned this:

Trying to teach a six-year-old to “activate their thyroarytenoid” is like asking a goldfish to do calculus.

What actually works?

Joy.

Silliness.

Play.

And (plot twist) a soft, flexible straw that turns warm-ups into a game and their own voice into something they’re curious about.

That’s where the Singing / Straw™ Sili comes in (which turns 2 today by the way)... 

Why the Sili Is a Kid-Sized Win:

✨ Soft & Safe Silicone – No hard edges. No chipped teeth. No trips to Urgent Care because someone “accidentally” launched a stainless steel straw into their sibling’s eyeball.

✨ Kid-Proof Design – Unlike the metal straws I used to fish out of the utensil drawer, these are unbreakable, bendy, and cannot be used in backyard sword fights. (A huge win in my household.)

✨ Makes Warm-Ups Fun – Slides, sirens, silly scales, and phonating their favorite Encanto tune into a straw? That’s what I call sneaky vocal health.

And yes, I’m also fully in support of leaving a few Sili straws around the house like a chaotic Easter Egg Hunt: 

One in your bag, one by their bed, one in the glove box for impromptu carpool karaoke. (Just me?)

“But My Kid Wants to Be the Next Sabrina Carpenter"

That’s awesome! 

But let’s start by making singing something they actually love to do.

Our goal with kids isn’t pulling off runs like Sabrina Carpenter or mastering whistle tones before puberty… 

It’s about laying the foundation for healthy, curious, lifelong vocal exploration! 

Because when a child feels like singing is fun, safe, and feels good, they’re more likely to stick with it. 

And thrive.

And trust me, you will thrive too when your lessons aren’t derailed by sword fights or complaints that singing is “boring.”

If you're thinking about trying a Sili (or stocking up for your students), our Black Friday Sale is happening right now! Save 25% off on each of our straw sets, including the Sili with code BF25. 

For My Fellow Teachers Out There… 

If you’re a vocal coach, choir director, or SLP who works with young voices, and you're wondering how to level up your toolkit… I’ve got something for you too:

I created the Singing / Straw Teacher Certification Program to help coaches confidently integrate straw phonation (including with kids!) into their lessons.
It’s science-backed, self-paced, and built to help real singers with real voices.

You’ll walk away with:

• A deep understanding of the why behind the straw

• Proven lesson plans and student-ready exercises

• Real results for your students: whether they’re 8 or 80

It’s like giving your teaching toolbox a makeover and a mic drop.

TL;DR

• Sili = Safe, fun, kid-friendly vocal magic wand

• Singing = Way more fun when it feels good

• You = Doing amazing, sweetie

• Certification = Next-level tool for your coaching journey

Oh, and if you ever hear a 5-year-old giggle their way through a slidey straw siren and then ask to “do it again,” your heart might just explode.

That’s the good stuff. That’s the magic.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to fish a Sili straw out of my shoe.

Again 🙄