i work with a group of toddlers but the problem is three of the kids in my group has a bad habit of sucking thier thumbs from hours at a time i need some advice..... help!
2006-10-08 13:43:17 · 30 answers · asked by starprincess292003 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
before you jump into concludsions i don't have kids of my own, i work with children.
2006-10-08 13:45:08 · update #1
LOOK I TRIED TO BE NICE I ONLY WANTED SOME FRIENLY ADVICE BUT SINCE YOU JERKS DON'T LIKE MY QUESTION YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER IT!
2006-10-09 11:11:03 · update #2
PUT SOME LEMON ON IT AND HE WILL STOP WITH THE TIME HE WILL LEARN
2006-10-08 13:44:47 · answer #1 · answered by chuco 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Okay, I am answering this with much hesitation, but i THINK it needs to be said especially if you are a teacher you need to be aware that persistant thumb sucking with other signs can be a indicator of sexual abuse. one is bed wetting. I would read up on it. As a child I sucked my thumb until third grade, which I think was a cry out for someone to say... what is wrong with this picture, but no one did in my case. I would read up on it if I were you and be aware of other signs of sexual abuse since 1 in 4 women are abuse and typically by a relative.
2006-10-08 23:12:40 · answer #2 · answered by SilentMoon 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you should ask the parents whether they want the children to stop before you do behavior modification.
To modify behavior you have to give a substitution or reward. Find out what motivates each child and provide it as a reward. If you see the child not sucking her/his thumb give the reward to the child. It may just be a hug or praise from you.
2006-10-08 20:54:50 · answer #3 · answered by Laughing Libra 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ah they're only 2, let them suck... suck on!
For whatever enjoyment, i sucked my thumb (and luckily i didn't get a nasty over bite) until i was 4 maybe. I remember one time my mom came in my room, saw me sucking my thumb, left...came back with scissors, and threatened to cut my thumb off if i didn't stop. Don't do that. Scared the crap out of me, and i only stoppd for the time being.
My parents use to ask me 'taste good?', or 'what flavour is it?' ... they would always ask me questions like that everytime they saw me with my thumb in my mouth. Eventually i just got so annoyed with them asking stupid questions (ya big thinkin 4 yrs old i was) - i realized sucking my thumb was stupid and eventually just stopped
2006-10-08 20:50:25 · answer #4 · answered by Chrissy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it were my own child, I'd say to put something icky tasting but not toxic like the suggestion of nail polish remover on their thumbs...but I don't think very many parents would appreciate a child care working taking that kind of measures. It's best to let the parents deal with that.
2006-10-08 20:46:10 · answer #5 · answered by poizon_ivy79 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I read about this on several blogs and the mothers all agreed that you just have to let it go. After awhile, when other kids make fun of the thumb-suckers, the thumb-suckers will stop sucking their thumbs. Basically, it's peer pressure at work.
2006-10-08 20:45:26 · answer #6 · answered by Stimpy 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hey, if their parents don't care enough to work with them on their problem, you shouldn't worry about it! It's a very difficult habit to break so just leave them be. My baby girl used to do that when she was around two but when I took her to the pediatric dentist he sat her on his lap and patiently explained that the sucking would cause her little front teeth to move forward and believe it or not, that's all it took!!! He got thru to her and I'll always think fondly of him for doing that.
2006-10-08 20:55:50 · answer #7 · answered by liberalthinktank 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why is doing something that comforts them a "bad habit". There is nothing wrong with thumb sucking. I'd say that YOU are the one with the problem, leave them alone.
2006-10-09 03:28:31 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Relax... it's no big deal. Look for the item/condition where they suck their thumb and remove it. For me it was a blanket with silk on the end. I rubbed the silk and sucked my thumb. When the blanket came up missing, I never sucked my thumb again. For my sister, it was picking her nose (I know, gross). Since one couldn't cut her nose off, she sucked her thumb until she was thirteen. At two years old, I would not worry too much.
2006-10-08 20:47:17 · answer #9 · answered by profitmessenger 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Children generally stop sucking their thumbs on their own. One thing it's best not to do is ridicule or embarrass them about it. You can use a "remedy" (foul tasting nail polish or lemon juice), but talk with their parents first. It's more the parents' place to be concerned.
Besides, no one ever walked up the wedding aisle sucking their thumb.
2006-10-08 20:49:14 · answer #10 · answered by Shoshanna 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You can remind them everytime they put their hands in their mouths that they need to stop, but if they are not your children I wouldn't try putting anything on their hands without permission from the parents. Most kids will grow out of it. If the parents aren't on board with trying to stop them they will become confused and it may cause more anxiety then it's worth.
Good luck
2006-10-08 20:47:35 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋