A bird eye view of habit disorders in children
You would find that most of us build habits as a behavior that is learnt and repeated often so that we then start continuing to do it even without thinking whether it is right or wrong, and this is the very thing that our children do and then it turns into a disorder for life. You may find that children just like adults may build certain habits that are positive in nature like brushing ones teeth first thing in the morning and before going to bed, but may also cultivate certain habits as a reaction of certain stimuli or triggers until it develops into a habit disorder.
It is significant to note that certain bad habits or habit disorders like sucking of ones thumb may have started as a reaction to being sick, tired, being insecure or even afraid. Other habit disorders could include twirling of the hair, biting of nails, chewing the end of the pencil, or even biting of nails could have also begun as stimuli to stress and anxiety, but may continue well into adulthood and could prove annoying, distressing, and harmful and could also be a point of being teased by other.
Habit disorders in children need to be tackled tactfully. You could wait patiently till your child is 4 years and make do with only parental counseling before you start earnestly. Strict enforcement it is to be understood only makes children revolt and not cooperate.
How habit disorders in children need to be tackled
It proves very effective for you as a parent to first ignore certain habit disorders at first and allow time for your kids to outgrow it. Never give a lot of attention to encourage the behavior, but at the same time make it very important to praise good habits and behavior in your child. When your child does not repeat the habit for some time, just show that you have noticed it and praise the child showing that you have noticed and appreciate his/her not doing a certain thing that is annoying and disgusting. Appreciation and praise has done wonders to all of us and it could do it to your child also.
Next it is best for you to realize as a parent that motivation to follow or break habits comes out of an inner motivation that you want to do a certain thing because it is good, so it is very essential that the child becomes interested in breaking the habit because he/she wants to do it as it will benefit him/her. It would help a lot in telling children as they grow that biting nails stops them from having good looking nails that they can paint or that hindered them from opening boxes. However it is best for you to realize that habit disorders in children are overcome one at a time without being overwhelmed.
Most of us as adults know that stress is the main reason for habit disorders whether it is an adult or a child, so it would help to be a conscientious parent and try to figure out why and when your child gets stressed, and then teach them how to overcome the stress with a proactive attitude. Many parents have helped their children with habit disorders with their empathic and patient listening maintaining eye contact with them. Developing decision making powers in your children with giving them acceptable choices has helped many children to feel good, less stressed, frustrated and happy, helping them break bad and unacceptable habits.
Teaching children and helping them get over habit disorders requires you to be patient. This would require your being patient with giving very practical and logical solutions and consequences for their behavior. Habit disorders in children do not turn for the better overnight, but a firm and understanding attitude helps bring about positive results in the long run. Set rules that are easy to follow, and clearly set up the consequences of breaking the rules that could be something small, but may not be liked by the child.
Thats to great parenting and tackling habit disorders in children.