Excessive chewing can be detrimental if it is not directed towards items that are safe to chew on.
If you are the proud parent of a child who chews, well, just about everything from their fingernails to their sleeves, don’t lose hope! Many parents are in the same exact situation. Here are some simple sensory hacks to help you curb excessive chewing.
Note: first consult your doctor about any inexpensive household items that you think your child can chew. Your doctor will be able to confirm that these items are safe for your child before they are used for chewing.
Try Chewable Jewelry
This doesn’t work for everyone, but many children benefit from chewable jewelry. There are many different varieties available to choose from and subtle styles that serve as accessories as well. Whether your child is looking for sensory input or needs an outlet for excessive chewing, this jewelry can stand up to days of chewing.
Look Around the House
Luckily, there are many different items you might already have around the house that can help curb excessive chewing. Take a walk around your home and see if you can find any of the following:
- Clear plastic tubing from the hardware store can easily be used to make DIY chewable jewelry
- Keychains that are made of safe material and don’t have tiny parts that could be swallowed
- Straws (these are awesome because you can throw them away and they cost less than a penny each)
- An electric toothbrush
- Water bottles with a bite valve
Get Creative
If you are a little bit crafty, you can easily tackle some DIY projects that will help curb excessive chewing and encourage chewing on appropriate things:
- Take an old sock and a couple beads to make your own inexpensive chewable necklace
- Purchase chewable charms and make a zipper pull that your child can chew (this will also help prevent chewing on the sleeves or collar instead!)
- Grab an old t-shirt and make a chewable necklace that will feel the same as chewing their shirt, but without actually damaging their shirt
The Connections Therapy Center
The Connections Therapy Center serves families of children and adolescents with disabilities and special needs. We are a team of experts in the fields of pediatric speech, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and behavioral sciences. As a team, we offer intensive hands-on therapy for children and adolescents, as well as informative and useful resources for families. If you are interested in learning more about what we can do to help your family, visit us online or give us a call at (202) 561-1110 (Washington, D.C. office) or (301) 577-4333 (Lanham office). Want to get more information on how to help your child thrive? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, and Pinterest.