Glovey Huggey
When & How to Stop Thumb Sucking
Some children develop a thumb sucking habit. They use it to soothe and comfort themselves. Unfortunately they can damage their teeth and develop worms from sucking on a dirty finger. Childhood thumb sucking can be unhealthy and a social stigma. This stage is when parents should intervene and help their children break the habit. Some of the ways they can do this are:
Here are a few additional tools to help parents about when and how to stop thumb sucking in addition to our thumb guard.
Reward system
A game-playing and reward based system works best. Use a calendar to mark the days your child does not thumb suck. Small gifts can be the rewards.
Ordeal therapy
Try reverse psychology by pointing out how your child is neglecting the other fingers on the hand. Give him/her a timer to make sure each finger gets equal time. It really helps in breaking the habit.
Create distractions
If you notice that he or she is sucking, then try to engage him/her in a fun and constructive activity. Make sure it is something that requires the use of both hands.