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Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Do Your Children Chew on Their Clothes?

We all may have some type of habit. Some children may suck their fingers while others might bite their fingernails. What do you do when your children have developed the habit of chewing on their clothes?

Kids chewing on clothes


There is a reason why kids are chewing on their clothes. It is important for parents to find out why and then give children other healthier alternatives.


Reasons

A few reasons according to Dr. Rene at parentingbydrrene.com are possibly some children need more oral stimulation, more physical movement, or it may calm children from negative emotions. She further suggests having your children practice deep breathing or counting backwards. As a child my biggest habit was biting my fingernails. I also had one child that sucked her finger. She came home from school one day and told me the other children were teasing her. She wanted me to put hot sauce on her finger so that she would stop sucking her finger. I also had another child that would carry a small blanket around with her around the house as a toddler. Looking back on this, I now see how this blanket was comforting to her. This is a new one for me to see children chewing on their clothes.


Sensory Seeking

According to Carina at kidzworld.com children that chew on their clothes or pencils are adding extra feedback to the sensory system to get to a level for them to calm down and be alert with little effort; sensory children crave physical activity. She further suggests activities such as riding a bike, running,swimming, carrying a shopping bag from the car to the house, and for older children chewing gum, preferably sugar-free. These are a few very simple techniques. I have always made sure that I took my children and my grandchildren to parks and areas where they could run, jump, and ride their bikes often. Since this is a computer age, I definitely limit the amount of computer time while encouraging outdoor time with various activities. I have observed the difference in them for the good.

 




Reaction

Have you ever considered your reaction to your children when you discovered them chewing on their shirts? Did you react negatively by showing anger or pulling their clothing from their mouth? According to everydaylifeglobalpost.com, negative reactions can reinforce negative behaviors. They further add instead of responding negatively, try redirecting children by observing when the chewing is occurring. Possibly that is the time children may need to chew gum or just run and jump. I was so happy when Michelle Obama started the “Let's Move Program” in the schools. I believe it makes all the difference for children.




Source:

Child Chewing on Clothes, By Dr. Rene Hackney












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16 comments:

Marina said...

We don't have that problem.. but I agree with you, negative reactions are not really the way to go when you're facing a problem.

Jenny Evans said...

We've had a shirt-chewer. Most of her shirt sleeves have holes at the wrists by the end of the season, and it's hard not to react in anger because she's ruining her clothes! Thanks for the reminder that it's better to redirect to another activity where she can move around and hopefully get the stimulation she's looking for that way.

anointedtoday said...

Good for you Marina.

anointedtoday said...

Your welcome Jenny. I hope some of the suggestions work for you.

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing this very interesting post at Good Morning Mondays. My son occasionally chews his shirt, normally when watching a DVD (which isn't very often lately). This has been very useful. Blessings

Holly @ Coordinator of Chaos said...

Thank you for sharing at Waiting on...Wednesday! My kiddos have never chewed on their clothes but a very close friend's son use to bite holes in his clothes. Thanks again for sharing!

Holly
iwillservewhileiwait.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Good point about negative reactions reinforcing negative behaviours. My youngest will occasionally suck her shirt. I very simply tell her we need to change her shirt because it's wet (and I only do this if we have to). I remember sucking and chewing on everything when I was little!

Thank you for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).

Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo

anointedtoday said...

Your welcome Holly. It is a pleasure.

anointedtoday said...

Your Welcome Terri. It is a pleasure.

anointedtoday said...

Your welcome Jennifer. I remember chewing on my fingernails as a child, but that is about it.

Mummascribbles said...

This isn’t something I have come across yet but I am so glad I have read this in case it does ever happen. I had no idea that such habits come from reasons. So interesting. Thanks for lending us your insight and linking up with #TwinklyTuesday

anointedtoday said...

Your welcome Mummascribbles.

Helene said...

I have two kids both of whom are chewers! I haven't quite solved it but I can see that it is a matter of needing more movement! Interesting article!

anointedtoday said...

Thanks Helene. I am sure you will solve it.

Unknown said...


Thank you for celebrating the season with us at the Holiday Edition of the Healthy Happy Green and Natural Party! Thank you for sharing your gems and for your support! Wishing you a Happy Holiday and a Happy New Year! All the best, Deborah

anointedtoday said...

Your most welcome Deborah.