Common childhood habits and how to tackle them
NOSE PICKING:
Make sure the interior of the nose doesn’t invite exploring by having your child blow their nose regularly (to discharge gunk), and by lightly lining their nose with coconut or other mild oil (check with their doctor first). Teach your child to blow his nose and reinforce doing this. Have your child wash his hands every time you see him pick, this acts as a mild disincentive.
THUMB SUCKING:
Introduce sucking substitutes. It’s easier to wean a child from a pacifier or chew toy than from their thumb. Thumb suckers often have a ritual involving a special blanket or something. Limit these objects to bedrooms or downtime, to shape the behaviour. For older children (ages 3+), you can direct them to the couch or their room for sucking.
NAIL BITING:
Try to keep the nails and skin as smooth as possible — clip rough edges, file, apply lotion — so attention isn’t drawn to them. Cover nails with plasters during ‘danger’ times, e.g. riding in the car, watching TV, times children are sitting still and might be inclined to nibble. Some children (ages 4+) benefit from nail polish, reminding them not to nibble. Also, the polish gives them something other than their nails to pick at. I usually recommend against bad-tasting polish — it’s punitive and it doesn’t work.
HAIR TWIRLING/SUCKING:
This is a tricky habit because it seems innocuous but can lead to hair pulling, which is a very hard habit to break. Hair twirling/sucking is best dealt with by making access difficult, either with short hair cuts, or snug-fitting caps. Give your young child something not attached to their body to twirl or suck.
GENITAL TOUCHING:
We want children to explore and find pleasure in their bodies, but self-stimulating can become a repetitive and problematic habit used to help children regulate their internal state when they are feeling bored, tired or agitated. At the early stages, you can narrate what your child is doing, “That feels nice, doesn’t it”, and then add “Your penis (or vagina) is private though. It’s only for touching when you are alone.” Help children learn that the bathroom and their bedroom are the places for playing with genitals. With young children, try to re-direct. It isn’t about simply stopping a child. You need to provide them with something else to do that soothes them, or feels good to them, but not involving their genitals.