Strong oral motor skills are essential for clear speech, proper swallowing, and effective communication. When a child struggles with oral motor development, it can affect not only their speech sounds but also everyday tasks like chewing and drinking.
At Vero Speech Therapy, I work with children to strengthen the muscles and coordination needed for confident, functional communication. Here are some practical oral motor therapy tips parents can use to support progress at home.
1. Encourage Blowing Activities
Blowing helps strengthen breath support and oral muscle control—both important for speech.
🎈 Ideas to try: Blow bubbles, whistles, party blowers, or even cotton balls across a table in a “race.” These fun activities double as therapy without feeling like work.
2. Practice Straw Drinking
Using a straw engages lip, tongue, and cheek muscles that support articulation. Vary straw thickness to make it more challenging over time.
🥤 Tip: Start with an easy liquid like water, then try thicker drinks like smoothies to build more strength.
3. Play Tongue Games
The tongue plays a major role in producing speech sounds. Gentle exercises can help build flexibility and precision.
👅 Activities:
- Touch the tongue to the nose, chin, or each corner of the mouth.
- Move the tongue side to side while keeping lips closed.
- Hold a Cheerio or small food item on the tongue tip for balance.
4. Strengthen the Lips
Lip strength supports sounds like “p,” “b,” and “m.”
💋 Ideas:
- Hold a popsicle stick between the lips (no teeth) for a few seconds.
- Play “lip tug” by placing a straw between the lips and having your child resist gentle pulls.
- Practice exaggerated kisses or blowing kisses for fun.
5. Use Chewing and Jaw Activities
Chewing builds strength and coordination in the jaw, which stabilizes speech movements.
🍎 Ideas:
- Offer safe, chewy foods like apple slices or pretzel rods.
- Use oral motor chew tools or “chewy tubes” for added practice.
- Encourage alternating sides while chewing to improve balance.
6. Make It Playful and Positive
Children learn best through play. Turn oral motor practice into games, use mirrors so they can watch themselves, and keep sessions short but consistent.
🌟 Reminder: Always keep it encouraging. Praise effort, not just perfection.
Why Professional Guidance Matters
While these tips can support oral motor development at home, every child is different. A licensed speech-language pathologist can evaluate your child’s specific needs, design a tailored therapy plan, and ensure exercises are done safely and effectively.
At Vero Speech Therapy, I provide one-on-one therapy sessions, parent coaching, and practical tools that help children build stronger oral motor skills and clearer speech.
👉 If you’re concerned about your child’s oral motor development or speech clarity, click here to schedule a consultation with Pamela Cerrato.
Together, we can give your child the tools they need to communicate with confidence.
