The Hidden Link Between Speech and Eating: How Strengthening Oral Muscles Naturally Supports Your Child’s Development
I work with countless children who struggle with both speech and eating. If your child has difficulty pronouncing words clearly and also struggles with chewing, swallowing, or picky eating, you’re not alone. These challenges are more connected than most people realize.
How are speech and eating connected?
Eating is one of the best ways babies strengthen the muscles in their mouths before they start speaking. Think about how often a baby eats each day—every feeding session is a workout for their tongue, lips, and jaw. As children grow and transition to solid foods, their swallowing patterns naturally evolve. But if this development doesn’t progress as expected, it can impact more than just their ability to eat—it can also affect how clearly they pronounce words.
How chewing and swallowing strengthen speech muscles
The muscles we use for eating are the same ones we rely on for speaking, and both skills require significant strength and coordination. Swallowing patterns, in particular, can impact certain speech sounds, including /s, z, t, d, sh, r, and l/.
When a child develops a proper swallowing pattern, these sounds become much easier to produce. That’s where myofunctional therapy can make a big difference.
What does myofunctional therapy do?
Myofunctional therapy helps retrain the tongue, lips, and jaw to rest in the correct position and move properly for both swallowing and speaking. Through targeted exercises that can be practiced at home, a myofunctional therapist can help your child develop safer eating habits and clearer speech.
What can I do to help my child at home?
If your child struggles with both speech and eating, you’re not alone—and the good news is that there are ways to help! Myofunctional therapy can play a key role in strengthening the muscles needed for both skills.
Next week, I’ll be sharing specific tips you can use at home to support your child’s swallowing and speech development—be sure to check back for practical strategies to help your little one thrive!
In the meantime, if you have questions or want to learn more, feel free to reach out!
Not sure whether school-based or private speech therapy is right for your child? This post breaks down the key differences—pros, cons, and everything in between—so you can make an informed decision. Plus, learn why you don’t have to choose just one and how in-home therapy can complement school services for even better results.