Whistle M.O.R.E. Program
The M.O.R.E. program consists of using elements of oral motor toys to improve sensory processing, self-regulation, postural and motor control, and speech and language development.
M.O.R.E. is an acronym that stands for:
- Motor components
- Oral organization
- Respiratory demands
- Eye contact and control
The M.O.R.E format is designed to help therapists select toys and other materials as part of an intervention to improve mouth, sensory, and postural functions. Toys and materials can be graded using the M.O.R.E. format in order to incorporate appropriate oral motor activities suited to a child’s capabilities.
Whistle kit
The M.O.R.E program is based on the Suck, Swallow, Breathe Synchrony (SSB) Model.
- This pattern coordinates sucking, swallowing, and breathing which allows us to eat and breathe without choking.
- Suck, swallow, and breathe pattern is the first and most organized sensory motor system at birth
- Necessary for nutrition and survival.
- Babies begin to use this pattern for other purposes such as self-soothing and exploration.
- Strengthening a child’s SSB synchrony can help facilitate their overall development.
Babies need to be able to coordinate sucking, swallowing and breathing in order to feed without choking.
Enhancing a child’s Suck, Swallow, Breath synchrony can improve many areas of development, such as:
- Postural control
- Motor development
- Speech and language development
- Self-regulation
- Attention
- Hand eye coordination
- Social/emotional development
Easy Whistles and Blow Toys:
Requires some controlled pressure to make a sound, in terms of respiratory demand.
Echo Microphone
Echo microphone is motivating for children with limited air flow, since it amplifies the soft sounds they may make. Can be used to encourage long exhalations before producing sounds.
Slide Whistle
While blowing whistle, notes can be changed by quickly sliding insert in and out. Encourages prolonged exhalation.
Kazoo is used by humming into opening.
Train Whistle
Used by blowing into different holes to hear the different train tones.
Round Kazoo
Can be used by humming into the opening, provides vibration to the lips and cheek. Flatter mouthpiece requires less rounding of lips.
Medium Whistles and Blow Toys:
Respiratory demand requires intermittent deep breaths and some grading of air flow.
Whistling Straws
Duck Call Whistle
Duck call whistle has flat mouthpiece, and has a natural stop to encourage intermittent breaths.
Floating Ball Whistle
Blowing whistle cause ball to float. Encourages continuous blowing and coordination of the eyes.
Difficult Whistles and Blow Toys:
When air is blown through mouthpiece, eyes pop up and floats. Encourages continuous blowing.
Balloon is blown up and then released in order for cars to move. Can be very motivating for those interested in racing cars.
Other activities can be incorporated to support the development of the Suck-Swallow-Breathe synchrony:
- Sucking water, juice, milkshake, pudding through a straw.
- Picking up food items (cereal, animal crackers, goldfish, etc.) by sucking them through straw and transferring them into a bowl.
- Blowing bubbles.
- Blow through straw to move pom poms to a designated area or through a maze.
