eating rocks?

Question

My son is 5yrs. old and I can't stop him from eating rocks. Any suggestions on breaking him from that nasty habbit?

Answer 1

You should take him to the doctor..

Answer 2

1] remove any rocks from your home
2] don't let him play outside any place that has rocks. When he asks to go out, tell him
"I can't let you go outside, because you keep eating rocks. It is bad for your teeth, it can give you a disease, and the rocks can make holes in your insides. When you decide to stop eating rocks, then we can play outside."
3] see? it sounds like HE is the one controlling his playtime.
Don't do the ' you are too old for that' or 'only babies do that'
lines - they won't work, and may make him more unhappy/worse behavior.
Eventually, he will stop. My second son ate weeds, bugs, money, stones, marbles - last time at age 7! And he's still a normal kid now [ age 18, senior honor roll ]. Some kids just need more oral stimuli than others - try party blowers, blowing bubbles with the wand, blowing up balloons under adult guidance, spitting watermelon seeds, teaching him to make bubbles in gum, etc. [ anything but chewing/smoking tobacco ]

Answer 3

Hi

Since he is 5 and not 2 or 3 he does know better than to eat rocks by this age. It sounds to me as if his oral sensory system is looking for a certain type of input.

Try to substitute something else but had the hardness of the rock and see what will happen.

Take Care

Answer 4

Ha-that's funny becuase I used to eat rocks on the playground...of course that obsession stopped really quick, when I realized they were gross...and could have been in a friends mouth..yuck-COOTIES!
I woudl try to do somethign fun-In 2nd grade my teacher made, I think it's called Stone Soup...and let him pick out the rocks (not huge ones obviously) and then let him put them in and tell him that the only time he's allowed to eat rocks is when you make Stone Soup. (If puting rocks in a meal is too gross for you, then just take them out when he isn't looking). I would suggest picking up the book Stone Soup at your local library or order it.
I really hope this helps-please let me know!

Answer 5

I assume you mean he is sticking them in his mouth but not swallowing. My 4.5yo is doing that too. She just likes the feeling I think. She tries playdough, chalk, soap too. I don't think the risk is that high of her getting sick with any of these actually. We all eat some dirt on even washed vegetables after all. I have to admit I remember 'tasting' a brick when i was about 5. And I ended up mostly normal. mostly. lol.
Lately I take away the playdough/ chalk/ bubbles if she puts it in her mouth. I take her in if she eats dirt or rocks. Seems to be working. I don't want to overreact, but I don't want her to be the kid in first grade that eats bugs.

Answer 6

he's probably just doing it becuase he sees that it causes a reaction in you. Our driveway is mostly rocks and my son occasionaly picks up rocks and puts them to his mouth...my son is only 14 months old, however it is still something toddlers are gonna do to get arise out of you.
My suggestion would be to not overreact, and just be firm when telling the child no...EXPLAIN to them why they shouldn't do that, and see what happens..if all else fails give them a good old fashioned spanking..NOT leaving marks, just enought to let them know your not messing around.

Answer 7

I read a long time ago the dirt/rocks thing is caused by a deficiency of some sort or it was a medical disorder. I think you should call your doctor.

Answer 8

Whenever he puts one in his mouth, take it out and smack his hand or spank his butt and tell him that it is not okay to eat rocks. This is after you have already told him that eating rocks is not okay. It worked for my son. I spanked him once for it, haven't had to since.

Answer 9

Take him to the doctor or keep him away from rocks.

Answer 10

Does he have teeth of metal?Take him to the dentist,I bet he won't eat any more rocks after that.

Answer 11

I did this when I was little. I never ATE them, but I always put them in my mouth. But the taste alone broke me of it. Just let him know that there could be bugs on it or things that could make him sick.