A child’s habit of finger eating can be changed by soothing the pacifier, diverting the child’s attention, and encouraging the child.
1. Pacifier: Usually, finger eating is just a continuation of the child’s sucking habit. By diverting the child’s attention with a pacifier, the child’s habit of finger eating will be changed.
2. Divert the child’s attention: Parents can divert the child’s attention by playing with the child, and the child’s habit of finger eating will be changed after a period of time.
3. Encouragement: If the child has a certain cognitive ability, parents can tell the child about the harm of finger-eating and help the child to quit the habit of finger-eating in an encouraging way.
Finger-eating in children older than three years old represents a lack of security and persistent anxiety. Parents should find the specific cause in time, improve the finger-eating situation by observing and communicating, providing companionship and a sense of security, and seek help from a pediatrician if necessary.