Nail biting is a behavior we frequently encounter in children. It starts behaviorally and turns into habit. Children experience many adventures throughout their lives. Even moving from one age to another can cause anxiety in children. Many changes occur during childhood. And children try to keep up with these changes, which again causes anxiety. While trying to keep up with these changes, each child may react differently. Biting nails is one of these reasons. It occurs more frequently in the preschool period and can extend into adulthood. If your child is focusing on something and biting his nails, do not worry and do not intervene. Your child may be trying to cope with some things with this behavior. It is extremely normal and necessary for your child to develop coping skills.
Nail biting behavior usually begins with a distressed mental state. The reasons may be curiosity, boredom, stress, anxiety, habit or imitation. In fact, there is no single reason for nail biting.
Many reasons can be given, such as arguments at home, problems with siblings, transition period, arrival of a new sibling. Social challenging factors can trigger this behavior.
What can parents do to prevent this behavior from becoming a habit?
It is very important not to warn or warn. Unfortunately, there are very few parents who can do this today. As we persistently warn them, we actually reinforce their behavior unconsciously. When we insistently use phrases such as 'don't do it, take your hand off your mouth, don't bite your nail', the behavior is now consciously reinforced.
The reward and punishment method does not create a permanent change in behavior.
Create different alternatives. Can you get me a glass of water instead of 'Take your hand off your mouth'? Can you turn off the light? At those moments, you can call him and give him responsibilities.
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