Learn basic muscle movements and functions with Ms. Kristen, a real Orofacial Myofunctional Coach. Have fun learning! Strengthening all the muscles in our bodies help our bodies grow and develop the best way possible. This video focuses on muscles of the tongue and lips.
Note: In my practice, I have found littles are more likely to engage in the exercises if others are.
Training the tongue tip to learn the "spot" where it goes when we say L, D, or N sounds, tongue-clicks or tongue-pops, humming, and lifting the soft palate to say "ahh" may strengthen a variety of tongue and mouth muscles. Lip exercises that bring the lips together and use the orbicularis oris and lip elevator and depressor muscles may help strengthen correct lip posture.
00:45 Moose: lip open and close exercise
01:12 Lion: tongue-to-spot ("lion") and raise soft palate ("rawr")
02:03 Frog: cheek and lip air puff exercise
04:00 Owl hoot: tight lip exercise
04:42 Gold Fish: lip pop exercise
05:19 Gold Fish: cheek suction and pop exercise
06:06 Monkey: breathe through the nose
06:27 Monkey: laugh lips in tight and mouth open wide
07:13 Wolf: howl, jaw stretch exercise
07:46 Unicorn: tongue point and tongue curve exercises
9:10 This Little Pig nursery rhyme: lip pop exercise
10:18 The Frog Song: MMM, AHHH, tongue-pop, tongue-to-spot
13:06 Old MacDonald song: variety of exercises including tongue to spot,
13:13 Sheep: easy lip seal exercise
13:43 Llama: tongue-to-spot
14:15 Squirrel/nut: tongue-to-spot
14:40 Dog: easy lip seal exercise
15:14 Cow: tight lip exercise
15:40 Fish: lip pops
16:10 Crab: tongue-clicks
16:55 Bunny rabbit: nose breathing
18:19 Frog: lip and cheek puff
Myofunctional disorders can include, but are not limited to:
Drooling
Teeth clenching and grinding
Tongue thrust
Misaligned teeth
Sleep Apnea
Facial discomfort
Speech impairments
Mouth breathing
The goals of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) are to improve a person's awareness and function of nasal breathing, ensure proper tongue posture, maintain swallowing patterns and attain a healthy lip seal by retraining and strengthening the muscles of the face, lips, tongue and jaw.
This video is not a replacement for actual tongue therapy or an Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist. If you have questions please find a therapist for an evaluation.