The Oral Development Tools
are sensorimotor devices designed to help babies practice their feeding, munching, biting and chewing skills. Designed by a Pediatric Feeding Specialist (Dawn Winkelmann, M.S, CCC-SLP @msdawnslp). Each set includes 3 pieces (Loop, Smile and Stick Development Tools).
- The Loop Development Tool has sensory bumps at the tip of the tool to stimulate lip closure, which can also help to decrease drooling. This tool has an opening in the center, which allows for appropriate tongue elevation. Tongue elevation initiates a swallow reflex to improve the swallowing of salvia, food and liquids.
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The Smile Development Tool was developed to facilitate jaw strength for chewing and swallowing skills. It has an adorable smiley face design and sensory bumps to provide texture and tactile input to the mouth. This shape encourages jaw stabilization and lip spreading movements feeding, eating and speech.
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The Stick Development Tool was designed to be about the length and thickness of an adult pinky finger. This is the size and shape that can help facilitate munching and chewing skills for baby-led weaning! It also helps to stimulate tongue lateralization for eating and preparing the mouth for a strong swallow. The tip of this tool also encourages lip rounding movements to help prepare your baby for straw drinking.
Use without food or dipped into breast milk, formula or purees
Silicone material provides non-slip grip