Growing a Mighty Mouth: Milestones from Ages 1–4
As parents, we celebrate so many milestones in the early years — first steps, first words, the first time they sleep through the night. But one area that often goes unnoticed is the development of your child’s mouth — the muscles, jaw, and tongue that play a vital role in breathing, eating, and speaking.
Healthy oral development during ages 1–4 lays the foundation for your child’s airway, facial growth, and even sleep quality. Let’s take a look at what to expect, what to watch for, and how you can support your child’s growing “mighty mouth.”
Ages 1–2: Building the Foundation
In the first years of life, your child’s mouth is learning to move efficiently and purposefully. Ideally, by age one:
The tongue rests gently on the roof of the mouth (not the bottom of the mouth).
Lips are closed most of the time — even at rest.
Breathing happens quietly and easily through the nose.
Chewing becomes more coordinated as they explore a variety of textures.
During this stage, pacifier use, bottle feeding, or prolonged thumb/finger sucking can start to impact oral muscle balance. The tongue should have room to move freely — especially forward and up — to encourage strong, proper oral rest posture.
Ages 2–3: Coordinating Muscles and Movements
Between ages two and three, your child’s muscles of the face and mouth are becoming more refined. They’re learning to manage different foods, articulate early sounds, and keep their lips closed during quiet play or sleep.
Healthy oral patterns look like:
Lips closed at rest
Tongue lightly suctioned to the roof of the mouth
Nose breathing
Smooth chewing with lips together
Red flags that may signal an underlying issue:
Open-mouth posture or habitual mouth breathing
Frequent drooling past age two
Snoring or restless sleep
Difficulty chewing age-appropriate foods
Limited tongue movement or preference for soft foods
These can indicate oral muscle weakness, structural restrictions (like a tongue tie), or airway issues that deserve a closer look.
Ages 3–4: Growing Strong Patterns for Life
By preschool age, your child’s orofacial system should be functioning efficiently — the way nature intended. This is when oral habits like thumb sucking, pacifiers, or bottle use should be phased out to allow the teeth, jaw, and airway to grow optimally.
You may notice your child’s speech becoming clearer, and they can manage a wider range of foods. Their lips, tongue, and jaw should now be working together as a team!
Encourage:
Chewing on both sides of the mouth
Drinking from an open cup
Eating a variety of textures and chewy foods
Nose breathing, day and night
How to Support Your Child’s Growing Mouth
You don’t need fancy equipment or special exercises — small daily habits make a big difference:
Encourage nose breathing and gently remind your child to close their lips.
Offer varied foods that challenge chewing skills.
Limit screen time, as open-mouth posture often accompanies extended screen use.
Provide time for free movement and outdoor play, which helps whole-body development (and impacts facial growth too!).
If you notice concerns with feeding, sleep, or persistent open-mouth posture, an evaluation by an occupational therapist trained in orofacial myofunctional therapy can help uncover the root cause.
A Mighty Mouth Means a Mighty Child
Your child’s mouth isn’t just for smiles — it’s the gateway for breathing, eating, sleeping, and communicating. Supporting healthy oral development from ages 1–4 helps ensure your child grows with a strong airway, balanced facial structure, and optimal function.
If you’d like support or have questions about your child’s oral development, my “Growing a Mighty Mouth” program was designed just for this age group. Together, we’ll assess your child’s oral function, create fun, age-appropriate exercises, and set them up for a lifetime of healthy habits.
Learn more or schedule a consultation