Oral Motor Exercises for Speech Development

Oral motor exercises have long been part of speech therapy, designed to strengthen and coordinate the muscles used for speech and feeding. While controversy exists about their effectiveness for speech improvement alone, when combined with functional speech practice, these exercises can benefit children with specific oral motor weaknesses, feeding difficulties, or motor speech disorders like childhood apraxia of speech or dysarthria.

Understanding Oral Motor Function

The oral motor system involves complex coordination of multiple structures working together for speech, feeding, and facial expression. Understanding this system helps parents recognize why some children struggle with speech clarity and how targeted exercises might help.

Key Structures for Speech

Lips Essential for:

• Bilabial sounds (p, b, m, w)
• Rounding for vowels and "oo" sounds
• Containing saliva and food
• Facial expression

Tongue Critical for:

• Most consonant sounds
• Vowel differentiation
• Moving food during chewing
• Swallowing coordination

Jaw Important for:

• Graded jaw movements for speech
• Chewing patterns
• Mouth opening for different vowels
• Stability for tongue movements

Soft Palate Necessary for:

• Nasal vs. oral sounds
• Swallowing safety
• Resonance quality
• Preventing nasal air escape

When Oral Motor Exercises Are Appropriate

Not all speech problems benefit from oral motor exercises. They're most appropriate for:

Specific Conditions

Childhood Apraxia of Speech

• Motor planning difficulties
• Inconsistent errors
• Groping movements
• Limited sound repertoire

Dysarthria

• Muscle weakness
• Reduced coordination
• Slow or imprecise movements
• Changes in muscle tone

Oral Motor Dysfunction

• Drooling beyond typical age
• Feeding difficulties
• Open mouth posture
• Tongue thrust

Structural Differences

• Cleft palate (post-repair)
• Tongue tie (post-revision)
• Facial differences
• Dental malocclusions

Evidence-Based Perspective

Current research indicates:

What Works

• Exercises combined with speech practice
• Targeted exercises for specific weaknesses
• Functional activities over isolated movements
• Exercises addressing documented deficits

What Doesn't Work

• Non-speech exercises alone for articulation
• Generic exercises without assessment
• Exercises unrelated to speech movements
• One-size-fits-all programs

The key is matching exercises to specific needs identified through professional assessment.

Oral Motor Exercises by Category

Lip Exercises

Lip Rounding

• Blow bubbles through wands
• Blow whistles or horns
• Kiss prints with lipstick
• "Fish face" in mirror
• Blow cotton balls across table

Lip Closure

• Hold popsicle stick between lips
• Straw drinking with thin liquids
• Blowing up balloons
• Humming with lips closed
• "Motor boat" sounds

Lip Strengthening

• Tug-of-war with licorice string
• Hold button on string against teeth
• Resistance exercises with tongue depressor
• Blow painting activities
• Harmonica playing

Tongue Exercises

Tongue Elevation

• Lick peanut butter from roof of mouth
• Hold Cheerio on tongue tip to alveolar ridge
• Click tongue (horsie sounds)
• Lick stamps or stickers
• Touch tongue to nose

Tongue Lateralization

• Lick lollipop side to side
• Touch tongue to corners of mouth
• Move candy from cheek to cheek
• Lick lips in circular motion
• Follow finger movements with tongue

Tongue Strengthening

• Push against tongue depressor
• Lick thick substances (yogurt, pudding)
• Hold raisin on tongue against palate
• Tongue push-ups against spoon
• Resistance exercises with gauze

Jaw Exercises

Jaw Grading

• Bite blocks of different sizes
• Controlled chewing exercises
• Open mouth to different degrees
• Gentle jaw massage
• Vowel sequences with jaw movement

Jaw Strengthening

• Age-appropriate chewing exercises
• Crunchy food progression
• Tubing or chewy tube exercises
• Controlled bite and release
• Resistive jaw opening

Cheek Exercises

Cheek Strengthening

• Puff cheeks and hold
• Transfer air cheek to cheek
• Blow painting
• Straw sucking thick liquids
• Resistance against finger pressure

Fun Oral Motor Activities

For Toddlers (18 months - 3 years)

Bubble Play

• Blow bubbles of different sizes
• Pop bubbles with lips
• Catch bubbles on wand
• Bubble painting
• Bubble bath fun

Animal Sounds

• Snake hissing (tongue protrusion)
• Horse clicking (tongue elevation)
• Fish faces (lip rounding)
• Monkey faces (jaw movement)
• Lion roars (open mouth wide)

Sensory Exploration

• Vibrating toothbrushes
• Different food textures
• Temperature contrasts
• Flavored lip balm
• Textured toys for mouthing

For Preschoolers (3-5 years)

Straw Activities

• Blow paint designs
• Straw races with pompoms
• Drink boxes for lip closure
• Crazy straw challenges
• Build straw structures

Mirror Games

• Copy facial expressions
• Tongue "Simon Says"
• Lip shape matching
• Make silly faces
• Practice speech sounds

Food Play

• Fruit kabob eating patterns
• Pretzel rod "cigars"
• String cheese pulling
• Apple slice "smiles"
• Crackers on tongue tip

For School-Age (5+ years)

Advanced Exercises

• Tongue twisters
• Whistle training
• Bubble gum blowing
• Straw oboe making
• Beatboxing basics

Games and Challenges

• Oral motor obstacle courses
• Timed exercises
• Progressive difficulty levels
• Competition with siblings
• Chart progress tracking

Incorporating Exercises into Daily Routines

Mealtime Integration

• Practice before meals when motivated
• Use foods as exercise tools
• Vary textures systematically
• Make eating interactive
• Model movements during snacks

Bedtime Routine

• Face massage
• Gentle stretches
• Quiet oral games
• Breathing exercises
• Story time with sounds

Car Activities

• Sing songs with movements
• Play "I Spy" with mouth shapes
• Practice sounds at red lights
• Mirror exercises in visor
• Travel games with oral components

Creating an Oral Motor Program

Assessment First

Before beginning exercises:

• Consult with SLP
• Identify specific weaknesses
• Rule out medical issues
• Consider sensory preferences
• Establish baseline abilities

Program Components

• Warm-up activities
• Targeted exercises
• Functional practice
• Cool-down stretches
• Carryover activities

Progression Principles

• Start with success
• Gradually increase difficulty
• Add resistance slowly
• Increase duration over time
• Maintain motivation

Safety Considerations

Important Precautions

• Never force movements
• Watch for signs of fatigue
• Avoid choking hazards
• Monitor for frustration
• Stop if pain occurs

Medical Clearance Needed For

• Known structural abnormalities
• History of seizures
• Swallowing difficulties
• Respiratory issues
• Recent oral surgery

Combining with Speech Practice

Making It Functional

The most effective approach combines oral exercises with speech:

Sound-Specific Exercises

• Lip exercises before bilabial sounds
• Tongue exercises before lingual sounds
• Jaw exercises before vowel practice

Immediate Application

• Exercise then practice target sound
• Use exercise position for sound
• Connect movement to speech
• Build muscle memory

Contextual Practice

• Words with target movements
• Phrases emphasizing positions
• Conversation with awareness
• Reading with attention to movements

Signs of Progress

Physical Improvements

• Increased range of motion
• Better coordination
• Improved strength
• Reduced drooling
• Better feeding skills

Speech Improvements

• Clearer articulation
• Consistent sound production
• Improved intelligibility
• Better breath support
• Increased speech attempts

Functional Gains

• Easier eating
• Better saliva control
• Improved facial expression
• Increased confidence
• Greater willingness to communicate

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Over-Exercising

• Too many repetitions
• Exercises too difficult
• Ignoring fatigue signs
• Pushing through frustration
• Expecting immediate results

Wrong Focus

• Exercises unrelated to speech goals
• Ignoring functional practice
• Emphasizing strength over coordination
• Missing the speech connection
• Avoiding assessment

Poor Implementation

• Inconsistent practice
• Incorrect technique
• No professional guidance
• Ignoring child's cues
• Making it boring

When to Seek Professional Help

Consult an SLP if:

• Unsure which exercises are appropriate
• No progress after consistent practice
• Child resists or shows discomfort
• Feeding difficulties present
• Multiple speech errors persist

Alternative Approaches

When traditional oral motor exercises aren't appropriate:

Sensory Approaches

• Oral sensory exploration
• Vibration and deep pressure
• Temperature variations
• Texture progressions
• Proprioceptive input

Play-Based Methods

• Natural oral exploration
• Functional activities
• Motivated practice
• Social interaction
• Meaningful contexts

Technology Integration

• Apps with visual feedback
• Video modeling
• Biofeedback tools
• Recording and playback
• Interactive games

Supporting Overall Development

Remember oral motor development connects to:

• Overall motor development
• Sensory processing
• Cognitive development
• Social interaction
• Emotional regulation

Support the whole child through:

• Gross motor activities
• Fine motor play
• Sensory experiences
• Social opportunities
• Emotional support

Conclusion

Oral motor exercises can be valuable tools when used appropriately as part of a comprehensive speech therapy approach. The key is understanding your child's specific needs, working with qualified professionals, and combining exercises with functional speech practice.

While exercises alone won't fix all speech problems, targeted oral motor activities can help children with specific weaknesses develop the strength, coordination, and motor planning needed for clearer speech. By making exercises fun, functional, and integrated into daily life, parents can support their child's oral motor development without turning practice into a chore.

Remember that every child progresses at their own pace. Celebrate small improvements, maintain consistency without pressure, and always prioritize your child's comfort and confidence over perfect performance. With patience, appropriate exercises, and professional guidance, oral motor exercises can contribute to your child's overall communication success.