CHILDREN WHY EAT NAILS
Research shows that the majority of children have nail biting behavior from time to time, and most of them continue to bite their nails. As a result, bleeding, ugly appearance and pain occur in the nails
Reasons for biting nails:
The child’s expression of sadness, distress, fear and anger with this behavior due to any reason,
The tension and anxieties experienced by the child
The child’s expressing his/her insecurity in this way
Administering an overly oppressive and authoritarian education in the family
The child’s anxiety about being punished and criticized
The presence of a nail-biting pattern in or around the family
The child’s feeling of worthlessness in the family
The child’s aggressive impulses by nail biting
The birth of a new sibling or mother Feelings of jealousy experienced by the child as a result of the father’s discrimination between the children
The child receives sufficient attention and love from the parents. Breastfeeding
Stressful situations such as divorce of parents, illness or loss of a loved one
Family unrest and communication problems
Parents suggestions:
Behavior thoroughly a permanent solution should be found in the early period and the behavior should be eliminated without stereotyping.
The most permanent solution is to find the causes and eliminate them if you reveal the behavior.
Chili pepper, nail polish, glue etc. on the child’s nails. Using substances, scolding, criticizing, frightening or punishing the child for this behavior is not the right solution. These can lead to reinforcement of this behavior in the child.
Parents can ignore the nail biting behavior seen up to 3-4 years of age. If it continues after the age of 4, precautions should be taken.
If the child is provided with an environment where they can express their feelings and thoughts comfortably, this behavior can be reduced. If the child can share his feelings such as sadness, distress, anger with his parents, he will not choose nail biting as a way of expressing these feelings.
It is necessary to keep the child away from situations that cause fear and anxiety.
Young children should not be allowed to watch violent horror movies.
It is necessary to minimize quarrels and unrest within the family.
It can be explained to the child in an appropriate language that this behavior is not a right behavior and that it harms him/herself. It can be said that how neat and well-groomed nails make girls look beautiful and boys look handsome.
If the child is doing this behavior to attract attention, the child should not be taken care of when he/she bites nails.
When a child bites nails, his attention may be distracted. A game he wants to play, a cartoon he wants to watch, an activity he wants to do may work.
If the child bites nails at night, as a reminder, a glove that will not disturb him can be put on before going to bed.
Gum, nuts, etc. that can replace nail biting. it may work in some cases.
In order for this situation to change, the child should also be made willing and effort should be made for change.
The child can be made to take care of their own nails. Takes responsibility for nail care,
Cuts nails himself, and files can be prevented from doing this.
Behavior change in changing nail biting behavior
