3 Simple Tips to Help Your Child Speak and Eat Better
Every parent wants their child to thrive, and strong oral muscles play a bigger role than you might think. They’re essential for safe eating (better chewing and swallowing) and for clear speech (helping them pronounce their words correctly). You don’t need complicated tools; a few simple, natural habits can go a long way. Here are three practical tips, inspired by myofunctional therapy, to support your child’s growth at home.
1. Ditch the sippy cup for a straw or open cup
Sippy cups might seem convenient, but they can lock in an unnatural swallowing pattern that weakens oral muscles. Go for an open cup or a straw cup instead—weighted straw cups are perfect if you’re worried about spills. Skip the 360 cups; they’re just sippy cups in disguise. This switch lets your child’s tongue and jaw develop the right way.
2. Serve crunchy whole foods
Forget processed snacks—real, crunchy foods like celery, broccoli, mixed nuts (when they’re ready), or meats build jaw strength naturally. These whole options challenge your child’s mouth to work harder, setting them up for better chewing and stronger speech.
3. Make silly faces in the mirror
Strengthening lips, tongue, and cheeks doesn’t need to be complicated. Just grab a mirror and make silly faces with your child—big lip stretches, tongue wags, or cheek puffs. It’s a playful, no-equipment way to boost oral strength, and it’s fun too!
Ready for more help?
If you’re ready to dig deeper into natural ways to support your child’s eating or speech—or if you’ve noticed any hiccups along the way—our team at Turning Tides Speech Therapy can help. Located in Pensacola, we specialize in speech therapy and myofunctional therapy with a focus on real, holistic solutions. Call us today for personalized support!
Encouraging Picky Eaters—One Dip at a Time!
Mealtimes should feel joyful, not stressful. But when your child refuses foods, even the simplest dinner can lead to overwhelm, worry, and tears (from both sides of the table!). In this post, Andrea shares one simple strategy that can help turn tension into connection: introducing dips. From sweet to savory, dips can make new foods more fun and help kids explore flavors and textures at their own pace.
If you’re feeling alone in the picky-eating journey, take heart, progress isn’t always linear, but every small win counts. Dive in (pun intended!) to learn how dips can support more adventurous eating and get access to a handy list of parent-approved dip ideas you can try tonight.