To get the edges of your tongue to meet, push the edges upwards with your fingers from underneath. Make an “O” with your lips, and hold your tongue in the shape. Do this until you can roll your tongue without the aid of your fingers. Another way to make the shape with your tongue is to pull the middle of your tongue muscle down. This should pop the sides of your tongue upwards. Try to catch the edges of your tongue along the edges of the roof of your mouth. Then, push your tongue out between your lips while holding the shape. This is also called making a taco, a tongue roll, or a loop. 65-81% of people can roll their tongues; females are more likely to than males. Recent research has started to debunk the myth that tongue rolling is a genetic trait. Several studies in children showed that tongue rolling can be learned. [1] X Research source
Open your mouth wider as you complete this. It helps you see how your tongue has been folded over.
To help train your tongue to do this, use your fingers. Take your tongue and turn it over. Hold it there. Let it go, and try to work up to being able to hold your tongue there without any help.
For some people, it might be helpful to pull your top lip over your teeth. For others, it might be helpful to stretch your top lip as close against your teeth as possible above the teeth near the gumline. This gets it out of the way so your tongue doesn’t have as far to travel. Try flattening your tongue as you stretch it upwards. This might give you a better stretch than keeping your tongue pointed. As you work on stretching your tongue to touch your nose, use your finger to guide it towards your nose.
When you are finished with this trick, your tongue will be out of your mouth. The bottom of your tongue will be pressing against your bottom lip. If you are having trouble getting the round shape, try making a roll with your tongue at first. Then lift up your tip. Or try using your finger to make a depression in the middle of your tongue. [2] X Research source
If you’re struggling to get the right form, get your tongue into position against the roof of your mouth before moving your lips. Use your finger to help you push your tongue into position if you can’t get it to press against the roof of your mouth. [3] X Research source
To complete this, you may have to stretch your lips wide. Turn them down slightly to get enough tension to press again. This also gives you enough space to see your tongue. Use your fingers while you are learning. Roll your tongue into a tube. Place your fingers about a centimeter apart under your tongue. Pinch together the tip of your tongue. This helps your tongue start to learn the formation of the clover leaf. [4] X Research source
Use your finger to push down the middle of your tongue if it keeps popping into view. The trick is to have only the two sides visible. You can also achieve this by rolling your tongue. Roll your tongue into a tube. Push the edges of the tongue nearest to the lips past the lips. The rolled shape helps keep the rest of the tongue out of sight. [5] X Research source
