Every child has bad habits that their parent hates. Usually these habits are coping strategies for your child. They engage in the activity when they are bored, insecure, unhappy, tired, or to help them fall asleep.
Usually these bad habits are just phases and not serious medical issues and for the most part they will disappear by the time your child enters school. Dealing with them as a parent can be difficult. The best way to deal with bad habits is to ignore them and praise positive behaviors. Oh and did I mention a lot of patience!
Here are the five most common bad habits of young children.
1. Finger or thumb sucking.
Most thumb or finger sucking starts in infancy. Sucking has a soothing, calming effect and helps young children go to sleep or help relieve anxiety. Many babies outgrow it by age one. If your older child is still sucking their thumb or finger you may need to intervene. Since thumb sucking can cause problems when permanent teeth start coming in.
Older children typically suck their thumb when they are bored or before going to sleep. The best way to counteract this behavior is to distract her when the thumb sucking starts. Then reward her when she does not suck her thumb. You might want to use star charts or daily rewards. If this does not stop the habit then you might put a plastic covering over the thumb, a “thumb guard.” If your child’s teeth are being affected your dentist can install a device that prevents thumbs or fingers from applying pressure on the palate or teeth.
2. Teeth Grinding.
Teeth grinding is a habit that over half of all infants develop. Children usually grind their teeth while sleeping. Teeth grinding or bruxism usually beings in infants when their teeth first develop, at about six months. It typically stops at about five years when permanent teeth develop. At this age it is usually not a problem. But if teeth grinding continues it can cause jaw problems or the enamel on teeth to wear down. A dentist can fit your child with a night guard to protect their teeth while sleeping.
3. Nose Picking.
Nose picking is a disgusting habit. But did you know that it is the most common bad habit among both children and adults. Nose picking usually begins when your child’s nose crust from infection, allergies, or a cold. Then as your child picks the nose continues to be irritated and the nose picking cycle begins. Nose picking is the most common cause of nosebleeds.
Hand your child a tissue when you see them picking their nose. This will help them clear out their nose with less damage to the nose tissue. Explain that nose picking passes on germs. Make them wash their hand every time you see them picking their nose. Put a little petroleum jelly in your child’s nostrils. This will help relieve irritation. Saline spray may also help, especially for children with asthma.
4. Nail Biting.
Nail biting although annoying, my husband still bites his nails and it drives me crazy, it not typically a serious problem. It becomes more serious if your child’s nail biting causes infection of the nail or bleeding. Positive reinforcement is the best way to counteract nail biting. Talk about what your child is doing with their hands when they are not nail biting. This will help them realize how much more they can do when their fingernails are not in their mouths. Often a child will stop biting their nails when they have a reason to. My sister stopped biting her nails because she wanted to have beautiful long fingernails. Read the blog, “Stop the Nail Biting” for more tips on how to combat nail biting.
5. Hair twirling or pulling.
Hair twirling or mile hair pulling is a self-calming behavior seen in infants in children. It usually occurs when the child is bored, relaxed, or tired. It is not serious unless your child begins pulling out large quantities of hair from his scalp, eyelashes, and/or eyebrows. If this occurs you need to consult your child’s physician.
Stay tuned for my upcoming blog on breaking bad habits.