Does your child like crunchy foods? Do they like to chew gum? Do they move their mouths when they are overstimulated or stressed? If you see these behaviors, your child may be seeking proprioceptive input to calm and organize their body through their oral system. Along with fun activities like crashing into mats, jumping on a trampoline, wall pushups, and animal walks, you can help your child receive the same proprioceptive input through oral motor activities.
Biting and Chewing Activities:
Tug of war with washcloth or toothbrush
Gum chewing
Imitate train engine or dog growling
Encourage child to open and close jaw making clicking sound with teeth. Count the number of clicks in 5 seconds.
Have child hold something between his teeth and time how long he can hold it
Have child bite off pieces of toast, pretzels, etc., while you hold it. Start with front teeth then move to molars.
Have child squeeze a clothespin placed between teeth (with supervision)
Have child bite sturdy squeak toys until they squeak
Food Items to Encourage Biting and Chewing for Proprioceptive Input:
Things to Crunch:
Apples
Breadsticks
Cheerios
Veggie Chips
Graham Crackers
Granola
Nuts
Pickles
Pretzels
Popcorn
Rice Cakes
Raw Veggies
Toast
Things to Chew:
String Cheese
Dried Fruits
Raisins
Sugarless Gum
Oranges
Gummy Candies
Marshmallows
Written by Kayleigh Rall, MS OTR/L