My Mouth and My Feelings: A Parent’s Guide to Empowering Children’s Emotional and Oral Wellness (Digital Download)

My Mouth and My Feelings (Digital Download)

Support big feelings and healthy mouth habits—together. Written by Emily Kirkcaldy (Specialist Speech & Language Therapist, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist and Buteyko practitioner) with over 20 years’ experience working with children, this engaging social story helps little ones notice what their mouths do when feelings get big—and shows simple, fun ways to cope without biting, sucking or lip-chewing. The focus is on calm, tongue-up, lips-closed rest posture and gentle, parent-led routines that carry over into everyday life.

What your child will learn

• Emotional self-regulation: kinder choices for hands, lips and tongue when angry, excited, embarrassed or sad.
• Healthy oral habits: why keeping lips closed and the tongue to the palate (when not eating, drinking or talking) supports facial growth and nasal breathing.
• Four kid-friendly strategies: tongue rub to the palate, an appropriate chew, blowing imaginary bubbles, and hum & smile—easy swaps for biting, sucking and lip-chewing.

Key benefits & outcomes

• Develop emotional self-regulation skills: practical tools to choose helpful oral habits during strong emotions.
• Promote proper oral development: lips-closed, tongue-up rest posture encourages healthy facial growth and nasal breathing.
• Easy to implement: simple, play-based habits you can introduce today with clear parent prompts.
• Boost confidence & self-esteem: children feel proud as they replace unhelpful habits and succeed in self-regulation.
• Enhance overall well-being: better breathing, improved focus and increased calm contribute to happier days.

Why it works

Emily blends myofunctional therapy principles with speech & language best practice and breathing re-education, giving families tools they can use right away. Her two decades of clinical experience mean the language, illustrations and parent cues feel natural at home and school.

How to use the guide

1. Read together at a calm time; choose one “helpful mouth habit” to try first.
2. Practise for 1–2 minutes (tongue-up, lips-closed) and rehearse the chosen strategy.
3. Use during big feelings—offer a quiet cue (“bubbles?” “hum & smile?”) and praise success.
4. Review at bedtime: “What helped your mouth today?” Set a tiny goal for tomorrow.

What’s included

• Digital social story (PDF) by Emily Kirkcaldy
• Parent tips woven throughout for easy carry-over

Who it’s for

Parents and carers of young children who mouth-breathe, bite/suck/chew when stressed, or need simple routines for better oral posture and calmer days.

Good to know

• Format: PDF (print-friendly, A4 compatible)
• Licence: single-household use
• This guide is not medical advice and doesn’t replace individual clinical care. If you’re concerned about sleep, feeding or speech, please consult a qualified clinician.