- Definition
Intonation is how your voice goes up and down when you speak, like when your voice rises at the end of a question. It helps show what you mean, even beyond the words you use.
Saying 'You're going to the park' with a falling voice is a statement, but with a rising voice it becomes a question.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Intonation is like the music in your voice that goes up and down as you talk.
Ask your child: Can you say 'hello' like you are asking a question?
Common mix-up: Kids may think only the words matter. How you say the words — your intonation — can change the entire meaning of a sentence.
Examples
- Saying 'wow' with a high, excited voice versus a low, flat voice.
- Making your voice go up at the end of a sentence when you see a question mark.
- When you say 'I want that one,' making 'that' sound stronger shows which one you mean.
intonation is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
