How do you stop a toddler licking and wiping fingers? – How can I stop Miss 2 from licking her fingers and rubbing them on everything and everyone… Yuck!
In general, toddlers are at an age where they are more interested and aware of the world and licking things is one way they make sense of it. Licking objects is a way for them to receive sensory information about taste and texture.
Oral sensory seeking behaviour, or mouthing items, is a normal behaviour in babies and infants. They use sucking to help to calm themselves and self soothe. This self-soothing can also be called self-regulation.
With other words, it’s rather normal for their developmental stage.
Punishing a child for their developmental stage would of course be absurd.
When it bothers you you could use distraction, chewy toys, offer sensory play and you can still tell gentle but firm “we don’t lick things”, without giving it too much attention.
Understanding child development means this is actually quite normal. Sensory motor period. Often hands in mouth.
However if excessive just put in time to taking hands out of their mouth, no yelling or it’s bad. Just be firm and consistent. Make it fun too, hands out in a nice voice.
Do they have painful gums?
Be consistent. Hands down, it will change. Takes time.
She is only two… The world is such an exciting and stimulating place. But rest assured, she probably won’t be doing this at 20 years old. Just encourage her to use a baby wipe or a cloth. The other thing is, kids at this age are often teething so they tend to out their hands in their mouths and dribble.
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