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ScienceGrade 2nd· Why Do We Get Hiccups?

Why Do We Get Hiccups?

The diaphragm is the big breathing muscle under the lungs.

Learning Objective

Kids learn that a hiccup is a sudden twitch of the diaphragm (the breathing muscle), and the "HIC!" is the vocal cords snapping shut.

What You'll Learn

  • The diaphragm is the big breathing muscle under the lungs.
  • A sudden spasm pulls in air fast; the vocal cords snap shut → "HIC!"
  • Triggers: eating too fast, fizzy drinks, big giggles.
  • Hiccups are harmless and usually stop on their own.

Words to Know

Diaphragm
The big muscle under your lungs that helps you breathe!
The diaphragm twitches and — HIC!
Hiccup (singultus)
A sudden "HIC!" when your breathing muscle twitches!
Fizzy drinks can give you hiccups.
Spasm
A quick twitch a muscle does all by itself!
A spasm in the diaphragm starts a hiccup.
Vocal cords
The little flaps in your throat that make sounds!
They snap shut and make the "HIC!"

Check What You Learned

Quick Quiz

1 / 5

Which of these is TRUE?

Watch next

Why Do We Yawn?

A yawn = one big, slow, deep breath.

Lesson Info

Grade 2nd
2026-07-20
Why Do We Get Hiccups?

Standards Alignment

  • Health / Human Body

    structures of the body (muscles, lungs) and how they work together

  • 4-LS1-1

    internal structures function to support an animal's survival — here, the breathing muscle

Play the whole series

Episode 1 of gross body files

Keywords

2nd grade sciencescience for kidsgethiccupsdiaphragmhiccup (singultus)spasmvocal cordsHealth / Human Body4-LS1-1kids learningelementary education
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