- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- preschoolers today articles
- preschoolers today q&a
- children today articles
- children today q&a
- community & groups
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Expert Q&A
 |  |  |
| By Jenny Lewis, M.D. Pediatrician | ||
 |
My daughter bites her nails. Should I be concerned?
Nail biting in a preschooler can be a source of concern to a parent who may feel "what have I done to cause my child to bite his/her nails" and also because habits, once ingrained, are hard to break. It is important for parents not to assume too much blame for undesirable behavior in their youngsters. Children are individuals, with unique temperaments, and your daughter's nail biting may be an individual reaction to the stresses of everyday life. There need not be a significant life change to trigger the onset of nail biting, but rather a reaction to the cumulative effect of daily stresses on the child. Some children twirl their hair, some fidgit, and some may not react visibly to the same set of circumstances.
One suggestion would be not to talk too much about the behavior itself. Try to observe her behavior and see when are the times when she is likely to bite her nails. Distraction often works well with young children. Try to make sure that her hands are busy with other things, such as art activities, cooking, outdoor play, holding a book and turning the pages while you read to her. She may still enjoy holding and playing with stuffed animals while watching TV, for example. Another possible trouble time might be bedtime. If so, try having her wear very light gloves at night.
Instead of focusing on her behavior, try to implement stress reduction in her daily routine. Make sure that the daily pace doesnŴ include a ôhurry upö prior to each activity. Emphasize process over product and keep the fun in her daily schedule. Often parents feel like they are doing their children favors when they enroll them in every activity available. Try to arrange for child-initiated activities that have a leisurely pace.
Finally, be sure to keep the lines of communication open. Do not assume that you know how your child is feeling. Make sure that she feels safe in telling you how she is feeling, even if those feelings are not positive.
I wouldn't try "punitive" methods, such as bad tasting nail polish. Adults know that you are trying to do something for their own good, but children just see it as a punishment for something "bad" they are doing. Good luck!
Related Expert Q&A
- Is it OK if I sometimes let my children play by themselves?
- I tried to enroll my child in a dance class, and after the first class, she just didn't want to go back. Is it OK to allow her to quit or is that setting a bad precedent?
- What should I look for in an organized physical activity program for my child?
- Should I enroll my child in an organized physical activity program?
- I've been hearing a lot about brain research and how important movement is to brain development. Is this true?
More Answers by this Expert
- How can I help my son have a relationship with my ex-husband?
- Is my child wetting the bed just to get attention?
- Since my divorce, my 8-year-old has been wetting the bed. Any ideas on how to handle this?
- Our family's best friends are moving across the country. How can I help my kids cope?
- My ex-wife and I have started seeing each other again. Should we tell the children?