Q: A little boy (3 years 6 months) in my nursery is constantly sucking his thumb and we're unsure how best to respond, as his mother doesn't seem to mind him doing it. She's told us that her nine-year-old daughter still sucks her thumb. I get concerned about the possible long-term damage to the children's teeth, but the mother feels the effects of thumb-sucking are exaggerated. Which of us is right and what do you advise?
A: Most young children comfort themselves by sucking something. Older children continue with more or less visible habits of comforting themselves in times of stress, concentration or daydreaming. The same applies to adults. Look around at the adults you know and you will see hair twiddling, face stroking or touching, pen spinning, finger tapping and more. The urge for comfort seems to be a human need, but concern does arise over the possible negative consequences of a particular habit.
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