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Thumb sucking is often one of the last habits children outgrow when transitioning from baby to preschooler. Although there are medical and social reasons you will want to help to leave thumb sucking behind, you can approach it patiently. Here are a few tips to help guide your preschooler while knowing he will outgrow this stage when the time is right.
A preschooler will most likely not share the goal of breaking the thumb sucking habit. You can try to help her understand why it is important by talking with her. Two important reasons are germs and bullying. Thumb sucking introduces germs into her body that could make her sick. Also, some children will tease her for sucking her thumb.
Look for behavioral patterns
Is your preschooler predictable in his thumb sucking? Take the time to pinpoint patterns. It may be during a relaxing time of watching TV or story time before bed, or it may be during a time of stress where it is used for comfort. With this knowledge, you can come up with a plan of action. During relaxing times, end the activity if he sucks his thumb. For stress relief, try to find another suitable form of comfort through physical comfort, reassuring words, or a stuffed animal.
Read books
Read books to encourage your preschooler to quit thumb sucking. A few suggestions are Thumbs Up, Brown Bear, The Girl Who Sucked Her Thumb, Isadora! Take That Thumb Right Out!, and It’s Easy – I Don’t Need My Thumb. These books can be incorporated into your bedtime reading or at other times during the day that are common times for your preschooler to suck her thumb.
Use positive encouragement
Praise her every hour she goes without sucking her thumb. Use a sticker chart. At the beginning, she may need a sticker every hour. As she improves, increase the time needed to receive a sticker. Eventually, you will make it to a daily chart. Set attainable goals, and reward her. Rewards can be as simple as extra books at bedtime or additional time at a park.
While it may be discouraging at times, all children outgrow thumb sucking. Be patient, and remember to frequently praise him for his success. Soon thumb sucking will be a distant memory.
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