Nail biting is a habit that can be caused by boredom, stress or anxiety. It is common for a preschooler to turn to nail biting as a way of dealing with the social and emotional changes that are common for his age. However, the Mayo Clinic states that the habit is unsanitary and can increase the risk of colds or infections. It is possible to find the cause of your preschooler’s nail biting and effectively stop the habit.
Step 1
Make your preschooler aware of his nail biting habit. He may not even realize how often he is doing it. Decide together on a special code to use when he is biting his nails. This will help him become aware of how often he bites his nails, and possibly even his reason for doing so.
Step 2
Talk to your preschooler about why she is biting her nails. To stop the behavior, you need to find out what is causing it. Ask her if she is nervous, scared or anxious about anything. She may confess anxiety about certain events, such as a new preschool or troubles in the family.
Step 3
Remove her source of stress or anxiety to the best of your ability. You may not be able to solve all family problems or prevent a big move, but you can sit down and give your preschooler a reassuring talk to calm her fears.
Step 4
Give her physical reminders. Try putting stickers or bandages on her nails so that when she goes to bite them, she is reminded of her habit. You can also try applying a bitter-tasting solution found at drugstores that is designed to prevent nail biting.
Step 5
Decide together on an activity your preschooler can do whenever he feels the urge to bite his nails. Let him hold modeling clay while he reads a book or waits at the doctor’s office. You may consider allowing him to chew sugar-free gum for periods throughout the day. If he feels anxious, encourage him to talk about his feelings with you.
Tips and Warnings
- Recognize that once this habit is established, it may be hard for your preschooler to stop. Try to be patient throughout the process and avoid making her feel bad about biting her nails. Keep his fingernails trimmed neatly and remind him to wash his hands frequently. This helps protect him from exposure to germs while he is breaking his habit.
- Do not pressure or nag her to stop biting his nails. This may cause stress and anxiety, which leads to nail biting in the first place and can worsen the behavior. You should also avoid using any type of punishment. BabyCenter states that she will be more likely to stop the habit when she feels ready. Watch out for signs that your preschooler has taken nail biting too far. If his fingertips are bleeding or he is also picking at her skin or pulling out his hair, he may have extreme anxiety. The Mayo Clinic states that consulting a doctor or considering behavior therapy may be useful in this situation.
Things You'll Need
- Stickers
- Bandages
- Modeling clay
- Sugar-free gum
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