Oral Motor Exercise Guide for Parents

Fun ways to help your child strengthen lips, tongue, and mouth muscles for clearer speech!

🕓 How Often?

Complete ___ repetitions of each exercise, ___ times a day (as recommended).

Hold each position for 5–10 seconds, then relax.

Encourage your child to do them in front of a mirror — make it fun!

👄 Lip Exercises

1. Big Mouth Stretch
   💋 Open your mouth as wide as you can, hold 5–10 seconds, then close.
2. Lip Squeeze
   💋 Press your lips together tightly, hold 5–10 seconds, then relax.
3. Lip Pucker
   💋 Pucker your lips tightly, like for a kiss, hold 5–10 seconds, then relax.
4. Big Smile
   😀 Smile as wide as you can, hold 5–10 seconds, then relax.
5. Pucker–Smile Alternation
   😀 Alternate between a big pucker and a wide smile: pucker → smile → pucker. Hold each for a few seconds.

👅 Tongue Exercises

1. Tongue Out
   👅 Stick your tongue out as far as possible, hold 5–10 seconds, then pull back.
2. Side-to-Side Stretch
   ↔️ Stick your tongue out to the left, then right. Hold each for 5–10 seconds.
3. Up and Down Stretch
   ⬆️👅 ⬇️ Move tongue up toward your nose, then down toward your chin.
4. Side-to-Side Movement
   😜 Move your tongue side to side, touching each mouth corner.
5. Tongue Circles (Inside Mouth)
   👅 🔁 Move your tongue in a circle inside your mouth (between teeth and lips).
   👅 ➡️ Halfway through, switch directions!
6. Tongue Circles (Outside Mouth)
   👅 🌀 Circle your tongue around your lips “licking lips.” Change directions halfway.
7. Roof Swipe
   👅 Swipe your tongue from behind your teeth along the roof of your mouth, from front teeth to back of mouth.

 👅 Tongue Depressor Exercises

1. Press Up
   🔼 Stick out tongue, place depressor on top, press up, hold 5–10 seconds.
2. Press Down
   🔽 Place depressor under tongue, press down, hold 5–10 seconds.
3. Press Left
   ⬅️ Place depressor on left side of tongue, press against it, hold 5–10 seconds.
4. Press Right
   ➡️ Place depressor on right side, press against it, hold 5–10 seconds.

😊 Cheek Exercises

1. Cheek Puff
   🫧 Puff both cheeks full of air and hold for 5–10 seconds, then release.
2. Cheek Puff Switch
   ↔️ Move the air from one cheek to the other without letting it escape your lips.
3. Cheek Suck-In
   😯 Suck your cheeks in tightly, making a “fish face.” Hold for 5–10 seconds.
4. Blowing Practice
   🎈Blow through a straw, blow bubbles, or pretend to blow out birthday candles.
5. Cheek Resistance
   🪄 Puff your cheeks and have someone gently press on them while you keep the air in. Hold for 5–10 seconds. 

💡 Tips for Parents

🪞 Use a mirror so your child can watch their mouth move.
🎵 Turn exercises into a game or song.
⭐ Praise effort, not perfection — consistency matters most!
🦷 Try during daily routines (after brushing teeth, before bedtime).

 Questions?

Contact your Speech Pathologist for guidance or to adjust the routine.

Tips For Teaching Students Who Are Deaf Or Hard Of Hearing - Guidelines for Effective Communication in the Classroom & Beyond

GETTING ATTENTION

Gently tap the student’s shoulder, wave, or use a visual cue before speaking.

CHECK ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Ensure the student has access to their hearing aid or cochlear implant.

Confirm that any FM system or assistive listening device is properly connected.

Keep microphones or transmitters close to your voice source for sound clarity.

INTRODUCE THE TOPIC

Let the student know what subject or topic you're discussing so they can follow.

HOW TO SPEAK EFFECTIVELY

Face the student directly. Even a slight turn of your head can make lip-reading difficult.

Keep your mouth visible - avoid covering it with hands, objects, or facial hair.

Speak slowly and clearly - don’t yell or over-exaggerate.

Use short, simple sentences when possible.

MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT

Eye contact helps with connection and understanding - speak directly to the student.

LIGHTING MATTERS

Avoid standing in front of bright lights or windows - shadows make lip reading hard.

IF THEY DON’T UNDERSTAND

Repeat once, then rephrase if needed.

Don’t hesitate to use paper, pencil, or digital tools to clarify.

USE NON-VERBAL CUES

Gestures, facial expressions, and body language keep communication engaging.

CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING

Ask open-ended questions instead of yes/no to confirm understanding.

SEATING TIPS

Seat the students where they can clearly see the speaker’s face.

VOCABULARY & CONTENT SUPPORT

Provide new vocabulary in advance whenever possible.

Share lecture outlines or scripts ahead of time.

AVOID TALKING WHILE WRITING

Don’t talk with your back turned - explain after writing or using visuals.

WRITE IMPORTANT INFO

Write down key announcements or special assignments.

SLOW THE PACE

Speak a bit more slowly and allow extra time for students to ask or answer questions.

REPEAT QUESTIONS

If someone asks a question, repeat it aloud so everyone can follow.

 

Remember: The goal is inclusion and understanding, not perfection.

Be patient, flexible, and open to using multiple methods to communicate.