Oral Motor Development and Speech

Vocalization

Oral motor activities are often associated only with eating and drinking, but the mouth is also used to express oneself through vocalizations and eventually language.  As the lips, tongue, and cheeks develop increased sensory and motor skills, the ability to create varying sounds increases.  As cognitive development occurs, language skills increase.  All children should be given Active Learning environments to encourage vocalizations, to allow for repetition of vocalizations, and to eventually encourage imitation of vocalizations and sounds.   

A child plays with an Echo Bucket while lying on a Resonance Board.
A child plays with an Echo Bucket while lying on a Resonance Board.

For learning to occur, a child must be aware of and interested in his or her own voice.  In Active Learning we might place a microphone in the area of a child, so that his or her voice is amplified.  Items besides microphones can amplify a child’s voice.  An Echo Bucket can be hung over a child who is lying on a Resonance Board.  Vocalizations made will echo through the bucket and reflect back to the child.  Tubing, such as vacuum cleaner hoses or tubes from paper towels, can be held up to a child’s ear and mouth, so that sounds are echoed. In this video, a gathering drum and microphone are used to amplify vocalizations. You don’t need expensive items to encourage vocalizations.  In this video, a metal bowl provides inspiration to imitate sounds.  The activity is so engaging that other children decide to join in the fun.

Simply giving a child the opportunity to use his or her voice in a meaningful way promotes increased vocalizations.  As children develop greater vocalizations, look for opportunities to demonstrate language in first simple and then more complex ways. 

Vocalizing with a Microphone

Description: In this video, a microphone is placed in the area of a child, so that his voice is amplified. He is set up so that his movements cause responses, and the music therapist pauses to allow him time to process and then vocalize.


Oral Motor- Vocalizing with Music Therapist

Description: In this video, a music therapist and a toddler play with their voices.

 

Oral Motor- Using a Metal Bowl to Imitate Sounds

Description: In this video, a metal bowl provides inspiration to imitate sounds. The activity is so engaging that other children decide to join in the fun.

 

Oral Motor- Singing with the Guitar

Description: A young boy vocalizes as his music therapist sings and plays the guitar.

 

Oral Motor- Using the Word “More”

Description: The occupational therapist introduces the word “more” to an activity with a young boy. He isn’t required to say the word, but has repeated opportunities to do so.

 

Oral Motor Development and Speech collage