Myofunctional Therapy Exercises for Kids at Home

If your child has been recommended for myofunctional therapy, you may be wondering what the exercises actually look like. The good news is that they are simple, take only a few minutes each day, and most children adapt to them quickly.

Myofunctional therapy exercises are designed to retrain the muscles of the mouth, tongue, and face. They target the muscle patterns that affect how your child breathes, swallows, and holds their mouth at rest. When practiced consistently, these exercises can support healthy oral posture and muscle function, which can contribute to better dental development, may support speech clarity in some cases, and can encourage better breathing habits, especially when combined with orthodontic care.

This guide covers the types of exercises commonly used in myofunctional therapy for children. These examples are general exercises. Your child's specific program may differ based on their needs, and should be guided by a trained professional.

Tongue Posture Exercises

Correct tongue resting posture is a key focus in myofunctional therapy. When the tongue rests properly, lightly suctioned against the roof of the mouth, it supports healthy oral posture and muscle function, which can contribute to better dental development, especially when combined with orthodontic care.

The Spot Exercise

This is often the first exercise taught. The "spot" is the correct resting position for the tongue tip, located just behind the front teeth on the roof of the mouth.

• Ask your child to find the spot by saying "n" — the tongue naturally hits the right spot
• Have them hold the tongue tip on that spot with the mouth closed
• The rest of the tongue should gently press upward, not just the tip
• Practice holding this position for 30 seconds to one minute
• Repeat several times throughout the day

Full Tongue Suction

Once the spot exercise is comfortable, this exercise strengthens the tongue's ability to stay in the correct position.

• Place the entire tongue against the roof of the mouth
• Create suction by pulling the tongue upward
• Hold for 5 to 10 seconds
• Release and repeat five times
• Progress to holding for longer periods as it becomes easier

Tongue Pop

A fun exercise that helps children feel the correct tongue position.

• Press the whole tongue flat against the roof of the mouth
• Pull it down quickly to make a popping sound
• The tongue should stick briefly before releasing
• Repeat 10 times

Lip Seal Exercises

A proper lip seal — keeping the lips gently closed at rest — supports nasal breathing and proper oral rest posture.

Lip Closure Practice

• Ask your child to close their lips gently without pursing them tight
• Check that there is no tension in the chin or jaw
• Hold for 30 seconds to one minute
• Practice while watching TV or reading

Straw Lip Seal

• Place a straw between the lips
• Have your child hold the straw in place using only lip pressure, not teeth
• Hold for 10 to 15 seconds
• Repeat five times

Swallow Retraining Exercises

Improving swallow patterns is an important goal in myofunctional therapy.

Dry Swallow

• Place the tongue tip on the spot (behind the front teeth)
• Close the lips gently
• Swallow without letting the tongue push forward
• Practice with only saliva first
• Repeat five to ten times

Controlled Drinking

• Use a straw to drink a small amount of water
• Keep the tongue tip on the spot throughout the swallow
• Watch in a mirror to check that the tongue does not push forward
• Take small sips and swallow consciously
• Practice with one cup of water per day

Nasal Breathing Exercises

Establishing nasal breathing is a core goal of myofunctional therapy.

Humming Practice

• Ask your child to hum with their mouth closed
• Feel the vibration in the nose
• Hum for 15 to 30 seconds
• This naturally encourages nasal breathing

Simple Nasal Breathing Awareness

Simple breathing exercises can help children become more aware of nasal breathing, though underlying causes of mouth breathing may need medical evaluation.

• Close one nostril gently with a finger
• Breathe in slowly through the open nostril
• Switch and breathe out through the other side
• Repeat five rounds

If your child frequently breathes through their mouth, snores, or struggles to breathe through the nose, an evaluation by a dentist or airway specialist may be recommended.

Making Exercises Part of Your Daily Routine

Consistency is what makes myofunctional therapy work. Here are some practical tips for parents:

Time the exercises to an existing habit. Right after brushing teeth in the morning and evening works well because it is already part of the daily routine.

Keep it short. Five to ten minutes per session is enough. Long sessions are harder to sustain and can feel like a chore.

Progress depends heavily on consistency. Irregular practice may limit results.

Use a mirror. Being able to see what their tongue is doing helps children learn faster. A small mirror on the bathroom counter works well.

Make it playful. Turn exercises into a game. Use a sticker chart. Celebrate small wins. The more engaging the practice, the more likely children will stick with it.

Be patient. Some exercises will feel strange at first. Children may need several days or weeks to get comfortable with a new movement. That is normal.

When to Expect Results

Some children show early improvements in awareness and posture within a few weeks, while lasting habit changes typically take several months or longer. The first signs of improvement are often in the resting posture: the mouth stays closed more often, and the tongue sits in the correct position without being reminded.

Changes in swallowing and breathing patterns take longer because they involve replacing habits that have been automatic for years. Progress happens in small stages, and follow-up appointments help track how things are going and adjust the exercises if needed.

Working with a Professional

While these exercises can be described in general terms, it is important to work with a trained professional who can assess your child's specific needs and prescribe the right program. Every child's oral anatomy and habit patterns are different, and exercises that work for one child may not be appropriate for another.

At iSmile Dental Clinic, myofunctional therapy is integrated into pediatric care. If concerns are identified during a routine check-up, the dentist will explain how the exercises fit into your child's overall treatment plan.

Myofunctional therapy is often used alongside orthodontic treatment to improve stability and long-term results.

For more information, visit our myofunctional orthodontics page or explore our children's dental services.