If you notice that you child has suddenly begun biting their
nails you should sit down and have a non threatening talk with them. Don’t yell at them for
developing this
habit. Yelling will only make matters
worse if the cause for their nail biting is anxiety. Ask them how things are going at school or with their
friends. Ask if there is anything new
going on that they would like to talk about.
Are they feeling overwhelmed by a new class? If you find that things are relatively stress
free in their life then their problem most likely stems from boredom. Keep an eye on them around the house and take
note of what is going on when they bite their nails. Do they usually bite their nails while
watching television or listening to music?
This would indicate an unconscious habit. It is essential to communicate to your child how important
it is to stop nail biting and commit to tackle the problem together.