"All I want is a proper cup of coffee - made in a proper copper coffee pot!"

Now this is not just a statement about wanting a cup of coffee (which I often do want) but also a fun tongue twister I learnt as a child, and to this day, it's still one I recite before I do any kind of performing or public speaking.

It's not only good for my vocal muscles but this sort of activity helps to centre and focus me on the speaking task ahead and just as I learnt this as a child this is something we teach our children at Perform.

Tongue twisters are really fun and simple, plus they're easy to practise - you can do them with your children at home, in the car or while getting ready for bed at night.

So - why practise tongue twisters? Diction is important, and these tricky sentences encourage children to pronounce words clearly and to articulate themselves thoughtfully. They also support concentration, as children must slow down and focus to say each sentence correctly.

One of my favourite quotes about diction is from actor Ian McKellen, who said, "Diction is not about sounding posh. It's about making sure the audience hears every thought you're trying to communicate." And I think that's the point, it's just about enunciating our words clearly whatever our accent.

If you're keen to have a go at home then to make tongue twisters fun, try turning them into a game like a relay, where you must say the tongue twister clearly before passing it on to the next person (this works well when playing with a few children!).

Once everyone knows their favourite tongue twisters, challenge them to recite them in different ways, such as in a whisper, by singing, fast and slow or up and down a scale or in silly voices. I used to send my children into another room and ask them to project it into my room too which is great for creating awareness about vocal projection.

Need a little inspiration? Here are a few of my favourite tongue twisters we do at Perform.

Betty Botter

Betty Botter bought some butter

But she said the butter's bitter

If I put it in my batter, it will make my batter bitter

But a bit of better butter will make my batter bitter

So 'twas better Betty Botter bought a bit of better butter.

Cup of Coffee

All I want is a proper cup of coffee

Made in a proper copper coffee pot

I may be off my dot

But I want a cup in a proper coffee pot

Tin coffee pots or iron coffee pots

They're no use to me (no, sir)

If I can't have a proper cup of coffee in a proper copper coffee pot

I'll have a cup of tea instead

Chop

Chop chop choppity chop

Chop of the bottom and chop off the top

What we have left we will pop in the pot

Chop chop choppity chop

Peter Piper

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers

A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked

If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers

Where's the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?

If you're looking for more fun and imaginative ways to practise speech and diction with your children, check out our games to play at home.