Raising kids is a lot of work. You have to pay attention to the details if you want them to be healthy and have a positive mentality.
When kids develop physical tics, it can be detrimental to their well-being. Here are some common bad habits to watch out for in young children.
Hair Twirling
Some children, especially those with longer hair, habitually wrap their locks around their fingers. While this behavior can be comforting, it runs the risk of damaging cuticles. This activity can lead to knots, tangles, split ends, and, eventually, hair loss.
If your child is developing a hair-twirling habit, the best approach is to distract them from the behavior. Teach them to brush their hair whenever they get the urge to twirl it. Good hair care can reduce the urge and improve scalp health.
Thumb Sucking
Thumb-sucking is a common habit among young kids. Newborns have a biological drive to attach and suckle. While thumb sucking is common among infants, it can be a difficult habit to break in older children. It can cause developmental issues once the permanent teeth begin to appear.
Positive reinforcement is the best approach when older kids are sucking their thumbs. Identify their triggers and remind them to stop when you see them doing it. Learning how to wean your child off thumb-sucking during sleep will help them break the habit for good.
Nail Biting
Compulsively biting fingernails is another bad habit that kids can form if you don’t pay attention. The behavior is often related to stress or nervousness and can lead to the onset of various short and long-term developmental issues.
Nail biting often causes misaligned and chipped teeth. It can also lead to illness since fingernails contain bacteria that are then passed on orally. The best way to limit nail biting is to keep fingernails trimmed and clean. Identifying stress triggers and working on ways to deal with them can also be good.
Breaking Bad Habits Early Is Essential
If young children start to learn bad habits, it can lead to additional negative behaviors later in life. Paying close attention to what they’re doing and breaking any habits that begin to form will ensure they develop into healthy, well-adjusted adults.
Learning which bad habits to watch out for in young children will ensure you notice them immediately so you can work with your kids to overcome the behavior.
