The Hidden Back-to-School Struggle
Back-to-school season feels like a fresh start, doesn’t it?
The backpacks are zipped. The lunchboxes are packed. The house is a little quieter. For a moment, it feels like you can finally breathe.
But if you’re like many parents I work with, you’re already noticing the overwhelm creeping back in:
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Why is my child so emotional after school?
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Why are mornings still chaotic?
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Why does everything feel just a little… off?
The answer often isn’t discipline or willpower. It’s biology. And one of the most overlooked factors? Chewing.
🧃 Smoothies Are Great But They’re Not Brain Fuel
When’s the last time your child really chewed their food?
Not just nibbled or sipped, but really chewed like their jaw had a job to do?
Chewing is about much more than food. It:
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Builds jaw strength
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Stimulates the brain
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Supports emotional regulation, focus, sleep, and even speech
Yet most kids today aren’t chewing enough. Between pouches, yogurts, and soft snacks, we’ve created a culture of easy calories but low function. And kids are feeling the difference.
I worked with a little girl this summer who refused any food she had to chew. Carrots? Nope. Meat? Meltdown. Even apples were a fight. But once we slowly and playfully reintroduced chew-rich foods, her entire demeanor changed.
She slept better. She focused longer. She smiled more.
All because we brought chewing back.
Chewing Is Neurological, Not Just Mechanical
Here’s the real shift in perspective: chewing isn’t only mechanical, it is neurological.
Every time your child chews with effort, they activate the trigeminal nerve, one of the most powerful cranial nerves in the body. That simple action boosts:
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Focus
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Emotional regulation
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Speech clarity
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Sensory integration
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Facial growth and symmetry
It’s nature’s free brain therapy. But only if we use it.
How to Make Chewing Fun Again
The good news? Building chewing back into daily life doesn’t need to be a battle.
Start with just one chew-rich food per day.
Some ideas include:
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Carrots
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Celery
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Jerky
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Dried mango
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Raw apple slices
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Crusty sourdough bread
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MyoMunchee or chew tools
Make it playful:
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“Can you chew like a lion?”
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“Show me your superhero jaws!”
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s function.
Back-to-School Routines That Regulate
Back-to-school is the perfect time to reset daily rhythms. Before habits lock in, we have a short window to shape how kids start and end their days.
Here are four routines that make a difference:
1. Bring Back Real Chewing
Even one crunchy food daily strengthens the airway and stimulates the brain.
2. Train the Tongue
Teach: “Lips together. Tongue up. Breathe through your nose.” Make it a game: Sticky Tongue or Tongue Parking.
3. Watch Resting Posture
Is your child’s mouth open while reading, scrolling, or resting? Gently remind them to close it.
4. Rebuild Bedtime & Morning Routines
Add chew time, calming breath, and a nasal rinse. Skip screens before bed and offer something chewy before school.
The Boy Who Changed in 90 Days
One mom I worked with had a son starting 1st grade. He was struggling emotional outbursts, poor sleep, trouble sitting still. Teachers were flagging him for behavior issues.
We didn’t overhaul everything. We simply started with chewing, tongue posture, and bedtime routines.
By September? He was sleeping deeply.
By October? He was calmer and more focused.
By December? His teacher said, “It’s like he’s a different child.”
That’s the power of addressing function, not just symptoms.
Takeaway for Parents
If your child is struggling with focus, sleep, or behavior this fall, don’t just assume it’s a “phase” or a discipline issue. Look at the foundation:
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Are they chewing enough?
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Is their tongue resting properly?
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Are routines supporting nervous system regulation?
Behavior is biology. Structure creates function. And chewing is where it starts.
Want More Bite-Sized Tools?
If this resonates with you, come join my free weekly newsletter, SHIFT Happens.
Each week, I share parent-friendly tools on:
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Breathing
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Chewing
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Posture
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Sleep
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Emotional resilience
It’s the place where I connect the dots that providers often miss so you can help your child not just survive, but thrive.
Listen to The Healthy Mouth Movement Podcast:
https://healthy-mouth-movement-411-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/back-to-school-shifts-that-help-kids-thrive
P.S. Want to go deeper? My book O.W.N.E.R. gives you step-by-step ways to create lasting change for your family.
Trivia Answer
The only cranial nerve that connects chewing and emotional regulation is the trigeminal nerve. Every bite your child chews strengthens their brain, body, and behavior.
