When Your Child Is Too Young for Formal Myofunctional Therapy you might feel a little helpless. The good news is, there is so much you can do to help.

If you’ve noticed mouth breathing, drooling, speech delays, or feeding struggles in your toddler, you’re already doing the most important thing, noticing.

While many myofunctional therapy programs begin around ages 3–5 (when children can follow structured exercises), there’s still so much you can do before that age to support oral strength and healthy airway development naturally.

Focus on Nasal Breathing Early

Nasal breathing supports oxygen flow, facial growth, and even calm nervous system regulation.

Try these gentle habits:

• Keep nasal passages clear with a humidifier or saline spray.
• Encourage “smelling games” like sniffing flowers, food, or smell and scratch stickers.
• Model closed-lip breathing yourself. Little ones learn by imitation.

Goal: Lips together, tongue resting on the palate, and air moving quietly through the nose.

Encourage Proper Feeding and Chewing

Even everyday mealtimes are opportunities to build oral coordination.

• Offer a variety of textures (soft solids, chewy foods, small bites that require munching).
• Encourage chewing on both sides to balance the jaw.
• Avoid long-term use of purées or pouches once developmentally ready.
• Gradually reduce bottle and pacifier use after age one to promote mature swallowing.

Every chew strengthens the muscles that shape the airway and support speech later on.

Playful Lip and Tongue Exercises

You can make early oral development fun and engaging through play:

• Blow bubbles, whistles, or pinwheels.
• Practice “tongue clicks” or gentle raspberries.
• Make silly faces in the mirror to stretch lips and cheeks.
• Use straws. Sipping thick liquids like smoothies builds tongue and cheek control.

These light, playful exercises support the same coordination skills used in formal myofunctional therapy later on.

Support Oral Sensory Awareness

If your child avoids certain textures or gags easily, they might need help feeling comfortable with oral input.
Try:

• Offering chewable toys or safe teethers.
• Using a soft oral swab to gently touch the tongue and inside cheeks.
• Introducing foods with different temperatures and consistencies in small, positive steps.

The more comfortable the mouth feels, the easier it is for muscles to move correctly.

Create Restful Sleep Habits

Airway health and sleep go hand in hand.

• Ensure your child sleeps with their mouth closed and lips relaxed.
• Use a cool-mist humidifier for clear nasal passages.
• Encourage side or back sleeping with good head alignment.
• Watch for snoring, restless sleep, or frequent night wakings, these may be signs to consult your provider.

😴 A calm, well-supported airway allows for deeper, restorative sleep.

When to Seek Guidance

If your child consistently:

• Mouth breathes during the day or sleep
• Struggles with chewing or swallowing
• Has speech delays or drooling beyond toddler age

…then an early consult with a pediatric dentist, ENT, feeding therapist, or myofunctional therapist can provide guidance. Even before therapy begins, you’ll get simple strategies tailored to your child.

A Gentle Takeaway

You don’t need a formal treatment plan to start supporting your child’s oral function.
Every meal, every bubble, every giggle helps shape the muscles that support healthy breathing, eating, and speech.

Early awareness is everything and you’re already ahead.