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Tongue movements in normal preschool children during eating
Insights
This study observed tongue movements in 4- and 5-year-old children during eating. Findings reveal age and food type influence tongue position, indicating developmental changes in swallowing skills.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric occupational therapy
- Child development
- Biomechanics of swallowing
Background:
- Standardized eating assessments are needed in pediatric occupational therapy.
- Understanding typical tongue movements is crucial for assessing eating difficulties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe normal preschool children's tongue movements during eating.
- To establish a foundation for a standardized pediatric eating assessment tool.
- To investigate maturational changes in tongue function between ages 4 and 5.
Main Methods:
- Monitored tongue positions in 40 preschool children (20 aged 4 years, 20 aged 5 years).
- Quantified tongue position at food presentation (5 cm from lips) and during swallowing.
- Analyzed effects of age, sex, and food type on tongue movements.
Main Results:
- Tongue position during food presentation and swallowing was significantly affected by age, sex, and food type.
- Maturational changes in tongue responses were observed between 4 and 5 years of age.
- Swallowing patterns showed developmental progression but did not reach adult norms by age 5.
Conclusions:
- Significant maturational changes in tongue movements occur between 4 and 5 years.
- Early childhood is a critical period for the development of oral motor skills related to eating.
- Adult swallowing patterns are likely achieved later in development, beyond age 5.
Abstract:
This study describes tongue movements of normal preschool children during eating, and is the first phase in a long-term project to develop a standardized eating assessment for children. It is hoped eventually to fill the need for an objective measurement tool in pediatric occupational therapy practice. The movements were monitored in 40 children; 20 were 4 years +/- 1 month, and 20 were 5 years +/- 1 month. Each group consisted of 10 boys and 10 girls. Two different tongue positions were quantified: First, as food was presented to the child when the food was 5 cm from the lips; and second, as food was swallowed. Tongue position upon food presentation and upon swallowing was affected by age, sex, and type of food. Both responses showed maturational changes from 4 to 5 years. It is proposed that important maturational changes take place between 4 and 5 years of age, but that adult patterns of swallowing are attained later in development.