Nail-biting begins at about the age of four, peaks in adolescence and sometimes continues even in adulthood. It is primarily a tension-relieving activity and soon becomes a habit. Some children to make a conscious effort on their own to overcome the habit while many others enjoy it too much to stop. There is no concrete psychological explanation for why children bite their nails, but it has been noticed that many nail-biters experienced some unconscious stress in childhood. It could also be an extension of thumb-sucking, which is ridiculed socially.
The habit can be overcome by adolescents on their own and by parents of younger children by making a determined effort. The first step is to find out when the child bites his nails. Is it when he is bored, tired, sleepy, scared or while watching television or reading? Then check for how long he bites them and whether he bites all nails or only one. Distract his attention and involve him in an activity or a game which requires the use of fingers – throwing and catching a ball, coloring, helping with housework, or just playing with toys. Give him colorful gloves. You can explain to an older child how bad his hands look with stubby nails and how unhygienic the habit is. Reward him after he has resisted the temptations bite his nails for a long time. Slowly increase the reward value. Giving girls nail polish also works wonders. Once the child has overcome the habit keep checking to see that it does not recur because it can, in a situation in which he wants relief from tension.
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