Family Learning Center

What to do when a child continues to put things into their mouth

During infancy, children go through a developmental phase of putting things in their mouth, i.e., fingers, feet, toys, clothing, etc.  This continues throughout the toddler years, and then they eventually should outgrow it by school-age. Some school-age children continue to put inedible objects in their mouths, which can become a hygiene, safety, or social issue; especially when other children notice the behavior. School-age children should not be sucking on their sleeves or the neck of their shirts in class (a common form of oral input when seeking sensory input).  Children may occasionally bite the end of their pencil or bite their fingernails, and this behavior should be called to the child’s attention when it becomes a safety or social issue.

It is possible the school-age child is seeking oral sensory input, craving the sensations of having things in their mouth feeling pleasure from the sensations of sucking, chewing, or licking. Oral sensory input provides comfort when upset or makes the child feel comfortable when relaxing or playing. Sensory input can help the child to focus and pay attention.

Children with sensory processing difficulties can put things in their mouth or chew when they are overloaded. Sensory overload occurs when the child or an adult has experienced too much sensory input from their environment. The brain become overwhelmed by the amount of information to process. The child may use oral sensory seeking to help with self-regulation, chewing and sucking helps to self soothe. The jaw is one of the most powerful muscles in the human body, chewing gives the brain a boost of proprioceptive sensory input.

As a teacher, speak to the child privately about it and tell them that you are concerned because of germs, they are ruining their nice clothing, etc. Tell them that you would like to help them break this habit with their help and decide on a private non-verbal signal that you will use to remind them not to put things in their mouth.  An example could be tapping the desk when walking by, making direct eye contact and nodding, etc.  speak with the parent and inform them what you are seeing and ways you are handling the situation in the classroom. The parent may have some background information to share regarding the situation, (medical issues, trauma, stress, speech issues, sensory issues, etc.). If the school allows, tell the parent to send in sugar-free chewing gum.  If the child is craving oral input, chewing gum once or twice a day may be enough input to wean them from the habit. Some children benefit from using a cushion seat, a visual calendar on their desk, or Velcro strips attached to the desk.  

Parents can purposely give the child things to eat that are crunchy, chewy, or require hard chewing work to eat:

• Crunchy salt-free pretzels
• Carrot sticks
• Pickles
• Large, dried Fruit, not raisins
• Sugar Free Fruit roll ups
• Sugar Free Lemon Drops
• Sugar Free gummy worms
• Sugar Free Licorice Sticks
• Drinkable yogurt—the thicker the better

For drinks at school, send in water bottles with a sports cap.  Ask the teacher if the child can keep the bottle on the desk.  The tops are chewable, and socially appropriate.  Use a thermos with a plastic straw, when possible, put a regular straw inside the short straw of the thermos to encourage the child to suck up their drink, rather than to tip the spout into their mouth, providing increased sensory input.  At home, use a silly or skinny straw for regular drinks, because they require more sucking. Sucking is harder to do than just drinking.

Giving the child sensory input through their mouth every day helps them learn how to self-regulate the amount of sensory input they need.  Use a vibrating toothbrush instead of a regular toothbrush.  Brush instead of combing their hair. Use scented hand sanitizers and lotions. Some sensory input objects are available through therapy catalogues that are specifically geared for children who crave oral sensory input, i.e., chew toys, Chewy tubes, Pencil Toppers, etc.  

These suggestions are simple solutions to address a common concern.  If the child continues to persist in putting inedible objects in their mouth, see your physician or contact an Occupational Therapist or Speech Therapist for assistance.

Dr. Pamela Cooper, M.A., M.B.A., PhD.,

Educational Diagnostician

Learning Disabilities Teacher-Consultant (LDT-C)