Help Your Child Break Their Bad Habits

By Bonnie Owens on May 19th, 2009

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Their are several habits that many kids develop in their early years.  While some of these habits may just be a little annoying and gross to us as parents, others can cause physical pain such as sores and infections.  Here are some common bad habits and how to break them.

1. Thumbsucking. thumbsucking can cause sore thumbs and protruding teeth.  Young children often do it out of boredom or to comfort themselves.  Point out the physical detractors to your child(sore thumb and buck teeth) to show them what thumbsucking does.  Show them how to hide their thumb by making a fist and squeezing their thumb inside when they have an urge for thumbsucking.  Also try to teach your child to relax without sucking their thumb.  Play soothing music, cuddle together and read to them while they hold the book.  If your child’s thumbsucking persist, you can use the help of a special dental appliance, distasteful reminders – paint-on products, Band-Aid, tape, or wearing mittens.



2. Nailbiting.  Nailbiting can cause painfully short, jagged fingernails.  To help break your child of this teach them to keep their hands busy by clasping hands or grabbing sleeves or hiding them in their pockets until the urge to bite passes.  Help them to relieve any tension that may be causing the biting by allowing hands to float in the bathtub, letting fingers dangle and massaging  hands and fingers.  If biting persists, try having your child wear mittens or treat them to regular  manicures to keep nails and cuticles nice.



3. Throat Noises(Tongue Clicks, Clearing Throat)  To keep these annoying noise in check, teach your child to take slow deep breaths.  Also encourage them to substitute talking or singing when they feel the urge to make throat noises.



4. Head Banging.  Head banging is often self limiting and harmless, but it may suggest that your child needs to learn healthier emotional releases.  Remove your child from the banging area.  Pad their crib or move their bed away from the wall.  Try to relax them by playing soothing music, babywearing if they are still small, or rocking them in a rocking chair.  If banging persists, try to discuss their feelings and teach them better ways to communicate. 



5. Nose Picking.  Teach your child to use a tissue when addressing a nasal irritant.  Teach them to substitute pick with stroking the bridge of their nose with their finger, rub hand with picking finger or picking at their pocket.