Karaangelone's daughter addie has developed the habit of sucking her thumb almost from the first day of her mother's pregnancy. In a baby care book of angelone's family, there is still an ultrasonic photo of her daughter addie sucking her thumb in her mother's stomach. Now my daughter is 3 years old, but there is no tendency to get rid of this bad habit.
"Sucking her thumb makes her feel safe and comfortable," said Angelon, "because whenever she is nervous, she will put her thumb in her mouth and then she will calm down."
However, is it normal for 3-year-old children to suck their fingers? Psychologists, pediatricians and children's dentists say that parents can take some measures to help their children quit the bad habit of sucking their fingers.
Sucking fingers can comfort children.
"Sucking is a baby's natural instinct," said pediatrician robert anderson. "It is normal for babies to seek comfort and relief by sucking their fingers every day."
Anderson said that in the first few months or earlier in the mother's belly, the fetus will fall asleep and relax by sucking its fingers.
At this stage, the act of sucking fingers is not harmful to the growth of children and the development of speech function. However, most parents will ask, how long will this state last? Is it normal for children to suck their fingers when they are going to school?
A child who can't get rid of the habit of sucking his fingers
Maryhayes, an expert in children's dentistry, said: "Usually, when children are 2-4 years old, they will develop other abilities to cope with stress, such as speaking.
These newly developed abilities will replace the habit of sucking fingers. However, it is difficult for some children to get rid of this habit. In the long run, it may affect their oral development and bring unnecessary trouble.
"We used to think that as long as children get rid of the habit of sucking their fingers before they grow permanent teeth, it won't have much impact on the development of oral cavity and maxilla," Hayes said. "But now research shows that this habit will affect very young children (2-4 years old)."
Hayes, an expert from the American Children's Dental Association, said: "Suction will squeeze both sides of the maxilla and the soft tissue of the maxilla, which will narrow the maxilla and cause buck teeth. Although it can be repaired with orthotics, it will still cause speech problems, such as slurred speech. "
Finger sucking has a much greater influence on children. If the child's upper and lower teeth are not aligned, the problem will be more serious. The "thumb hole" in the palate formed by continuous sucking will put great pressure on the teeth at the back of the mouth when chewing, which will lead to uneven tooth growth and affect the shape of the mouth and palate.
How to quit the habit of sucking?
When a child reaches school age, you must try to stop him whenever you see him trying to suck his fingers. Don't spoil the child too much, because it will affect the growth of his teeth and mouth. In addition, we can also consider taking some incentives to make children give up the idea of sucking their fingers.
"This is an act of self-consolation," said family psychologist Jenberman. "Parents should understand that children can only suck their fingers when they go to college, so they must get rid of this bad habit."
Parents may not notice their children's troubles and anxieties in their usual growth and development, but sucking their fingers is just a good way to relieve their stress and sadness. Therefore, if your child reaches preschool age but still sucks his fingers, you can try the following methods:
1. Limit the time for children to suck their fingers at home or in the bedroom, but not in public. You can explain to your child that you can only suck your fingers before going to bed at night, which will help you sleep.
Don't screw up the relationship between your child and yourself because of this problem. Don't say "stop sucking your fingers" to your child in a commanding tone. When they don't suck their fingers, give them as much encouragement and praise as possible, not criticism.
Be sure to tell your children that you are willing to help them. First of all, parents should let their children know the disadvantages of sucking their fingers, and then help them to get rid of this habit slowly. If children are ready to give up this habit, parents are the best helpers.
If children start sucking their fingers when they are wronged or unhappy, parents should not stop them. After all, children need their own cure, and if they blindly oppose and stop it, it may cause more harm to children.
5. Cultivate children's awareness. When the child starts sucking his fingers, you can ask him, "Do you know you are sucking your fingers again?" If the child doesn't realize this action, you need to help him. If necessary, let him bite something other than his fingers to relax himself, such as blankets or plush toys.
6. Don't buy those smelly things to help children quit the habit of sucking their fingers. This is cruel and bad for children's health.
7. You can use some novel methods to let children know that they are in the growing period and will get rid of the habit of sucking their fingers when they grow up. For example, you can ask your child, "Do you think Bob, the construction worker, still sucks his fingers?" ? How dirty! "Children will think about this problem by themselves, and then they will feel that sucking their fingers is a very unsanitary behavior, thus gradually getting rid of this bad habit.
8. Don't try to make children give up sucking their fingers by wearing gloves. This may make them very depressed and unhappy, but it will make them feel more strongly about sucking their fingers.
9. Parents should know that children will gradually get rid of the habit of sucking their fingers when they are sensible. Parents' worries are understandable, but don't force them. With proper guidance, children will definitely get rid of the bad habit of sucking their fingers.