Understand the voice and rhythm controls
JoSS Kids Lab · Tool-use documentation · Updated October 29, 2026. Editorial and clinical review scope
These activities translate a device signal or a deliberate tap into a visual response. Choose the input you want to explore, then read the explanation on that activity. A moving character is feedback from software; it does not establish a correct speech sound, a healthy voice or a clinical measurement.
Match the game to its input
The frog and balloon respond to relative sound energy. The pitch activity estimates periodicity in a voiced signal. The sailboat responds to frequency information that can also occur in other noises. The tapping activities use button presses rather than speech recognition. Read the task label before interpreting the display: a rate shown for taps is not a measured speaking rate.
Understand a microphone turn
Choose the optional microphone control only when you want input from that device. A browser may request permission. Use a comfortable sound and a natural pause; device position and background noise can influence the response. The site processes microphone input locally for these activities. Giving permission does not turn the visual display into a calibrated meter or a recording of every practice turn.
Try deliberate rhythm input
Open a pacing activity and tap once to see how a turn appears. You can use a chosen familiar word or phrase while making deliberate taps together. The website measures those taps, not automatically detected syllables. A changed display describes your interaction with the control; it should not be treated as a diagnosis or a rule that slower speech is always better.
Keep observations separate from interpretation
A quiet signal, a gap in a pitch trace or an unexpected boat movement may come from the input, environment or algorithm. The software cannot explain the cause. If you want to remember a device issue, note which activity, browser and input you used. Questions about an individual voice or speech pattern belong with a qualified professional, rather than a score inferred from the animation.
A short checklist
- Read the activity’s input and feedback explanation.
- Try tap mode first where offered.
- Choose microphone input only if wanted and keep sounds comfortable.
- Adjust available controls or pause when the display is unhelpful.
When something does not fit
The game does not hear a microphone.
Check whether permission was granted to this site and whether the browser has the intended input device. Use tap mode where available if microphone input is unavailable.
The display reacts to room noise.
The detector is not identifying your intended word. Try a quieter setting or change available sensitivity, and interpret the display as approximate device feedback.
The pitch line disappears.
An estimate may be unavailable for quiet, noisy or unvoiced input. A missing line is not a result about the learner’s voice.
Try these activities
Explore the full voice exploration & rhythm games collection →
Sources and scope
This walkthrough explains the website’s controls and example tasks. It does not prescribe treatment or establish clinical effectiveness. Primary guidance is linked for background; its publishers do not endorse these tools.