1d (edited) • 🧠 Education Gems
Homework Exercises for Older Children A Parent’s Guide to Healthy Breathing, Tongue & Jaw Development
Each week I'll add exercises and strategies under each for each of the following topics:
· PART 1 Tongue strength and position
· PART 2 Lip and cheek function
· PART 3 Jaw control and chewing
· PART 4 Nasal breathing
· PART 5 Posture and alignment
PART 1 TONGUE STRENGTH & POSITION
WHY TONGUE TRAINING MATTERS
The tongue is not just for eating and talking — it plays a central role in how your child’s face, airway, and body develop.
When your child’s tongue rests correctly (on the roof of the mouth):
- It helps the upper jaw grow wide and strong
- Supports straight teeth and proper bite alignment
- Creates more space for the airway
If the tongue is low, weak, or not functioning well:
- The palate can become narrow
- Teeth may become crowded
- The airway can become restricted
# 1. THE TONGUE SUPPORTS BREATHING
The tongue helps guide whether your child breathes through their:
- Nose (ideal)
- Mouth (compensatory)
When the tongue is strong and positioned well:
- It supports nasal breathing
- Improves oxygen delivery
- Helps with calm, regulated breathing
Mouth breathing is often linked to:
- Poor sleep
- Behaviour and focus challenges
- Fatigue and low energy
- Reduced oxygen efficiency
# 2. THE TONGUE WORKS WITH THE LIPS AND JAW
The tongue doesn’t work alone — it is part of a system:
- Tongue + lips = proper oral seal
- Tongue + jaw = balanced muscle development
Lip incompetence (lips staying open) can contribute to:
- Changes in jaw position
- Altered craniofacial development
If the tongue is not functioning well:
- The lips may stay open
- The jaw may shift or compensate
- The face can develop asymmetrically
# 3. THE TONGUE AFFECTS EATING, SWALLOWING & SPEECH
Good tongue function helps your child:
- Chew food properly
- Swallow correctly (without compensation)
- Develop clear speech patterns
These exercises directly support:
- Swallowing mechanics
- Speech clarity
# 4 THE TONGUE EVEN AFFECTS POSTURE & THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
A low or tense tongue can contribute to:
- Neck tension
- Poor head posture
- Compensation patterns through the body
These exercises also support:
- Vagal tone (calming the nervous system)
- Better regulation and resilience
# 5.TONGUE TIES & TONGUE TIGHTNESS
When babies or children have a tongue tie or general tongue tightness, the tongue often cannot:
- Lift properly to the roof of the mouth
- Move freely in all directions
- Support normal swallowing and breathing patterns
This can impact:
- Feeding (in babies)
- Speech development
- Facial growth and jaw development
- Breathing patterns (often leading to mouth breathing)
Why training matters even more:
It is imperative to train the tongue and associated muscles.
- Improves mobility and strength
- Supports better function after release (if performed)
- Reduces compensation in the jaw, lips, and neck
- Helps establish proper resting posture and nasal breathing
Even if a tongue tie has been treated, rehabilitation is essential for long-term results.
WHAT WE ARE REALLY DOING?
These exercises below are not just “games.”
We are helping your child:
- Build strength and coordination
- Develop correct movement patterns
- Establish proper resting posture
- Support long-term facial and airway development
👉 The Goal - Over time, we want your child to naturally have:
- Tongue resting on the roof of the mouth
- Lips gently closed
- Breathing through the nose
- A relaxed, balanced face and posture
Why This Matters (For Your Child)
If your child practices these…
- They won’t get out of breath as easily 👊
- They’ll feel calmer and more regulated 👊
- They’ll sleep better 👊
- Their body will grow stronger and more balanced 👊
This isn’t just about the tongue or breathing…
It’s about:
- Structure
- Function
- Neurology
- Development
It's also not about perfection — it’s about practice and consistency.
Small daily habits can have a big impact on how your child grows, breathes, and functions long-term.
TONGUE EXERCISES
How to Do These Exercises
- Use mirrors (visual feedback is key)
- Keep the tone playful, not corrective
- Keep sessions short: 5–10 minutes
- Focus on quality, not force
- If your child is 2–4 years → repeat each exercise 5 times
- If your child is older → repeat each exercise at least 10 times
Young children tire quickly, so keep it fun and engaging
BASIC MOVEMENTS (BIG DIRECTIONS)
Animal Exercises (Foundational Exercises)
- 🐶 Open mouth wide and touch tongue to upper lip, then bottom lip(Elevation & Depression) → repeat 5 times
- 🐘 Touch tongue to nose (Elevation) → repeat 5 times
- 🐕 Stick tongue out and down (Depression) → repeat 5 times
- 🐸 Stick tongue out to the LEFT, then to the RIGHT (Lateralisation)→ repeat 5 times each side
These are your foundations
REFINING MOVEMENT & AWARENESS
1. 🎤 SING “LA, LA, LA”
→ supports speech + coordination
2. 👅 TONGUE CLICKING
Click tongue up onto the roof of the mouth
Repeat rhythmically
→ Builds awareness of correct tongue position
3. 🛝 THE SLIDE
Place the tip of your tongue behind your upper front teeth
Slide your tongue backwards along the roof of the mouth
Keep the tip connected to the palate the whole time
REPEAT 5–10 TIMES
4. 🕒 THE CLOCK
Stick tongue out and move in circles→ 5–10 each direction
Then close mouth and repeat around the teeth
5. 📍 THE NEEDLE
Make tongue straight and pointed
Stick it out as far as possible
Do not touch teeth
Hold and repeat 5–10 times
6. 🥄 THE DIP
Stick tongue out straight
Create a “bowl” shape
Hold and repeat
7. 🍄 THE MUSHROOM (FOUNDATION POSITION)
Press tongue firmly onto the roof of the mouth
Mouth slightly open
Breathe through the nose
➕ Mushroom Progressions (VERY IMPORTANT)
1. Open & Close
· Keep tongue on the roof of the mouth
· Slowly open and close the mouth
· Tongue must stay in place
Builds strength + stability
2. Swallow
· Keep tongue on the roof of the mouth
· Gently swallow
This type of training corrects swallowing pattern.
This is your key exercise for:
· Palate development
· Airway support
· Proper tongue resting posture
This isn’t just about the tongue…
We’re helping your child’s face, breathing, and body grow the right way👏
2
3 comments
Homework Exercises for Older Children A Parent’s Guide to Healthy Breathing, Tongue & Jaw Development
skool.com/the-tongue-tie-parent-guide
We help parents understand tongue tie and feel confident making decisions without fear or pressure.
Leaderboard (30-day)
1
+4
2
+2
3
+1
Powered by