Helpful Methods to Break Annoying Habits in Children

Helpful methods to break annoying habits

The following are the most common childhood habits. Below each habit you will find the four helpers to break annoying habits.

THUMBSUCKING

Motivators: Point out sore thumb. Compare sore thumb with other thumb. Show buck teeth in mirror. Run fingers over protruding teeth. Busy bored hands.

Relaxers: Play soothing music, have cuddle time, read together (child holds book).

Substitutes: “Hide thumb” by making a fist, squeeze thumb, suck tongue.

Special helpers: Dental appliance, distasteful reminders – paint-on products, Band-Aid, tape, tongue-blade splint, wear mittens.

NAILBITING

Motivators: Keep hands busy. Keep both hands on book. Put hands in pockets watching t.v. Compare with unbitten nails.

Relaxers: Dangle hands, let fingers go limp. Lay in bathtub and let hands float. Massage hands and fingers.

Substitutes: “Hide nails” by clenching fist, clasp hands together, grab sleeve, clasp chair arm rests. Carry nail clipper in pocket, use when urge to bite is felt.

Special helpers: Wear mittens, manicure to keep nail and cuticle nice. Consult pediatrician for signs of damage to cuticle or infection.

GRINDING TEETH (clenching teeth)

Motivators: Relax child before bedtime. Reduce sleep separation anxiety — sleep close to child. Show teeth damage in mirror. Run fingers over damaged teeth.

Relaxers: Relax jaw — let mouth drop open. Massage facial muscles. Give before-bed massage. Breathe deeply with open mouth.

Substitutes: Smile instead of gritting teeth – daytime. Open mouth at urge to grind. Put tongue between teeth.

Special helpers: Consult dentist; teeth guard appliance. Consult allergist; treat nasal allergies, environmental (bedroom) allergies.

TWITCHING

(e.g., blinking, facial twitching, shoulder shrugs, head jerks, forehead wrinkling, throat clearing, sniffing, neck stretching)

Motivators: Remove triggers and stressors. Watch self twitch in mirror. Ignore and distract when it happens.

Relaxers: Practice touch-relaxation: urge to twitch, massage muscles involved. Take deep breath and let muscles go limp.

Substitutes: Rotate head and stare at horizon. Tighten opposite muscles, e.g., shoulders. Take a drink of water. Shrug both shoulders together.

Special helpers: Consult child’s doctor to exclude medical causes.

LIP BITING (licking, smacking)

Motivators: Show child sore edges of mouth and cracked lips. Have child keep lip balm in pocket to use instead of biting.

Relaxers: Take deep breath, open mouth, keep tongue inside. (Sighing- type of breathing can itself become a habit.)

Substitutes: Suck frozen juice bar, drink water, talk, take a deep breath.

Special helpers: Apply emollient to soften lips. Consult doctor if skin infected.

HEAD BANGING

Motivators: Remove child from banging area. Pad crib. Remove bed from wall.

Relaxers: Play relaxing music. Rock child in rocking chair. Carry infant in sling.

Substitutes: Dancing to music, “gentling,” and physical contact.

Special helpers: Causes no harm and is self-limiting, but suggest child needs to learn healthier emotional releases.

NOSE PICKING

Motivators: Show sores in nose. Relate picking with nose bleeding. Direct child to use tissues instead of finger in presence of others. Relaxers.: Deep breathe; teach child to stroke nose from bridge to tip, over and over slowly.

Substitutes: Rub nose with arm; rub hand with picking finger; pick on a pocket.

Special helpers: Consult doctor to determine nasal irritants, humidify air; apply moisturizing ointment in nostrils. Remove allergens.