Five myofunctional exercises you can start at home
2 September 2026 · 4 min read
Simple daily habits that support nasal breathing and correct tongue posture.
Spot, suction and lip seal
Ask your child to place the tongue tip on the 'spot' just behind the upper front teeth and hold for ten seconds; then suction the whole tongue to the palate and hold; then simply rest with lips together and breathe through the nose for two minutes.
Swallow and chew training
Practise swallowing a sip of water with the tongue on the palate and the teeth lightly together — no lip or chin tension. Chewing firmer foods on both sides also builds the muscle strength that supports jaw development.
Make it stick
Two short sessions a day beat one long one. Attach them to existing routines like brushing, use a chart for younger children, and always check with your clinician before starting if your child has a diagnosed airway problem.
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