Why Does My Older Child Chew? It's NOT Teething!
By Laura May, Owner of Munchables Sensory Solutions Ltd.
Contributing Author OT Katie Yoon, MS, OTR/L
Talking to your child can sometimes answer many of the questions surrounding their chewing habit. In addition to creating a non-judgmental dialogue, observe your child. Do they chew only while doing homework? Primarily in the evening? Usually on hard objects? Knowing the answer to these questions can help understand the behavior and inform your conversation with a specialist, if needed.
Want to provide your child with oral sensory input in a variety of ways? You can try
- Blowing bubbles,
- Drinking through a straw,
- Eating crunchy snacks,
- Brushing teeth with an electric toothbrush,
- Humming & singing,
- Chewing gum
- And of course, using Munchables chewable jewelry.
The most important thing you can do for your child is to remove any shame and stigma from their behavior. They are helping themselves in the most effective way they know how.
Change "Don't Chew That" to "Chew this" with Munchables Chewelry.
Munchables is owned by a Canadian husband-wife team with two sensory children of their own. We understand how important it is for kids to have stylish, discreet chewies. Please reach out to us if you have any questions.
Disclaimer: If you are concerned about your child’s chewing behavior, contact your healthcare provider for more information. Some excellent resources on SPD can be found at “Sensory Processing Disorder Parent Support”.