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Oral motor coordination is the ability to use the muscles in the mouth, lips, cheeks, jaw, and tongue properly. It’s important for speaking clearly, making facial expressions, and doing things like chewing, biting, licking, sucking, and crunching food.
What might indicate a problem with oral motor coordination?
Difficulty with tasks like speaking clearly, chewing food properly, swallowing, or even making certain facial expressions can indicate a problem with oral motor coordination. Children may also drool excessively or have difficulty with fine motor tasks like brushing their teeth.
How can I help my child improve their oral motor coordination?
Supportive tools, like the Goally tablet, can provide fun, engaging activities to help improve oral motor coordination. Additionally, speech and occupational therapists can provide tailored strategies and exercises for home practice.
Can oral motor coordination challenges be overcome?
Yes, with the right support and intervention, children can improve their oral motor coordination. It takes time, patience, and consistent practice, but many children make significant progress.
Oral motor coordination refers to the precise and harmonious functioning of the oral musculature, including the lips, tongue, jaw, and cheeks, to perform complex tasks such as speech production, mastication, and swallowing. Adequate oral motor coordination is essential for the development of articulate speech, effective communication, and proper nutrition.
Oral motor coordination is essential for various everyday activities:
| Activity | Oral Motor Skills Used |
|---|---|
| Speaking | Lips, tongue, jaw, cheeks |
| Eating | Lips, tongue, jaw |
Proper oral motor coordination is crucial for children to develop clear speech, safe eating habits, and effective communication skills. By understanding the importance of oral motor coordination, parents can support their child’s development through targeted activities and interventions when needed.
