My 6 yr old son often times chews on the sleeves of his shirts or the neck of them. He is stretching and ruining, even tearing them a bit and I'm concerned. I'm sure this is just a weird phase of some kind. Anyone else ever had this happen w/their child? How did you break them of the habit or what did you do?
Mine does this too. He started when he started preschool at 4, even though he loved it. The teachers there made "chewie" necklaces with aquarium tubing. It's a nervous habit. He will probably outgrow it on his own.
My son did that too!! So annoying b/c it really was ruining his shirts. He is 6 years old as well and I want to say that the chewing stopped a couple months ago. Not sure how or why...maybe it was a stress anxiety thing he was going through. Or maybe he stopped b/c he ruined his new Steeler jersey!
My son went through two bouts of this habit, and ruined many shirts. I would notice he would do it if he was bored or nervous. Every time we would see him chew we would remind him not to chew on his clothes. He finally outgrew it for the second time (I hope it doesnt come back) now he licks his bottom lip constantly and its all red and chapped. Just habits they go through. Now if I can get my daughter to stop chewing her nails.
My now 28 year old used to do that. Every single shirt he had was stretched and holey. I would sometimes paint the inside of the collar with icky tasting stuff, and he would just chew the sleeve or pull the bottom of the shirt up and chew that. He chewed EVERYTHING. He also couldn't stand tags and was weird about his clothing, like he wouldn't wear turtlenecks, he wouldn't wear anything with sewed on or inset stuff. I swear if there were such a thing back then, he would have been diagnosed with some sort of sensory disorder. Now, he doesn't chew shirts, but he does still chew pens, pencils, remote controls, baby toys, keys, coins, etc. He is now OCD and deals with some anxiety, but functions fine.
It is very common in this age group, especially among boys. My son did it, we even mentioned to his 1st grade teacher how much we hated it and she laughed - she said on any given day when she looks at the class half of the boys have either their necklines or sleeves in their mouths.
My son outgrew it (he's 8.5 now) for the most part, along with all his friends, although when he's stressed he does it occasionally. If it really drives you nuts spray his shirt sleeves & necklines with bitter apple, it's a spray to keep dogs and cats off furniture or away from chewable items - non-toxic, doesn't stain, but really nasty tasting.
Perhaps you could give him something else to chew on. Some kids just need that oral stimulation. My 7 yo grandson chews gum to meet that need. There are also soft toys that he could chew. My grandson has a sensory processing disorder and so he's allowed to chew gum in school, too. For him just being able to squeeze something also helps. At school they have silly putty and several of those soft, squishy odd shaped toys. Some are like balls with tentacles or arms. That might help him, too.
For some kids the chewing or squeezing helps them concentrate/tune out distractions. Maturation of the nervous system may be why kids usually outgrow the need to chew. This could be similar for your son. Or it could just be a bad habit for which you can substitute another more acceptable habit.
My son is 5 and he was doing that for months. About 2 months ago I noticed that his bottom right tooth was loose and that another tooth was growing beside it. That is when I realized he was probably doing it because he was teething. His tooth has fallen out.
Well, he started chewing on his collar again recently and sure enough another one of his bottom teeth is loose again. Right beside it his adult tooth is growing in. Anyway just thought I would mention that so maybe you can look at his teeth. That could be it or it could also be as others suggested; just a nervous habit?
Our oldest son did this. I made him wear the holey shirts, which he did not like. If I caught him chewing on a "good" shirt, he had to change.
We told him to stop when ever he was caught at it.
If it helps, this is the "small stuff".
Our son is now 28, has a great job, a wonderful wife, and we are very proud of him! He also got through the shirt chewing phase with only a little damage to his wardrobe and our nerves!
My daughter used to do this! It is so gross! I don't know if it would work for your son but I wouldn't let my daughter change her shirt if it was wet, this made her uncomfortable at times. She also ruined a few and was really upset over it so eventually stopped on her own. UGH! It was so disgusting!
