5 year old puts things in mouth - Parenting Issues Message Board

LisaFaith · 01-25-2007, 04:20 PM

I know toddlers put everything in their mouth. I'm going through it now with DS#3. My problem is with DS#2. He is 5 (well, in about 6 weeks) and I still catch him putting things in his mouth! 10 minutes ago it was a metal key chain. I talked to him about it and asked him what is supposed to go in his mouth. He knows that he should only put food in his mouth. So why, oh why is he still putting toys and paper and whatever else in his mouth? I don't want him to be that kid in kindergarten who eats the paste.

Am I freaking out over nothing?

PinkPiglet · 01-25-2007, 08:28 PM

Lots of kids have a sensory input need and put things in their mouths. My son chewed on his shirts till he was about 10 and now that he's almost 14 he sometimes still does.

When he was in school (we now homeschool) I had an agreement with his teachers that he could chew gum. Some kids actually take small things to school that they specifically chew on so that they don't chew inappropriate things.

You often see adults who chew on pens and pencils - same thing. If he needs something to chew on I would buy him something specifically for that and make everything else off limits. He'll probably wean himself off it when he no longer needs it.

try-ink · 02-15-2007, 08:13 PM

yep....I think, you're freaking out for nothing.

When I volunteering in preschool, I see these things happen all the time.

Trust me... that doesn't even come close to what I've seen.

You can relax!