Mouthing Constantly ~ Is This Normal For Preschool Kids



Hypo- or hyper- sensitivities
must be treated by professionals 

 Chewing and mouthing behaviors are a normal part of a healthy developing child. After 18 months of age, most children will not be mouthing objects or toys preferring to use their hands to explore or play with them. If a child is a frequent or habitual bitter of everything at his disposal past toddler-hood, parents should find out if this is normal. You should be looking for preferred activities to allow for oral stimulation past toddler years to replace sucking, licking, chewing and biting inappropriate objects that bring into question safety and hygiene.

 Judith Hudson, developmental psychologist wrote: "Preschoolers don't have clear boundaries between edible and inedible things; putting something in his mouth is a way for your child to see if it tastes good. Visually, there's not much difference between a doughnut and a stacking ring, yet adults and older children know that one is food and the other isn't. To discourage your child from putting inedible objects in his mouth, emphasize the distinction between things that go in the mouth (namely food) and things that don't. When he mouths his train, say, "That's a toy. Toys don't go in our mouths," or, "We put food in our mouths, not toys."


If your child continues to mouth everything around him, your child’s behavior might be a red flag that warrants an early intervention referral. The ealier the intervention, the better the results!


Why Would a Child Mouth


Parents can find support at
 SPD Blogger Network

 • A child may have had sensitivity or medical issues in the mouth and missed his formative, infant mouthing stage, he/she might just be going through it late.

*A child may bite out of frustration, anxiety, stress or distress when he is placed in difficult situations or is surrounded by excessive noise and activity.


*A child may have sensory issues over/under-sensitivity to oral stimulation and his actions provide the necessary stimulation to the sensory system. Children with oral sensitivities, whether hypo- or hyper- sensitive, will need specific treatment and oral stimulation activities by a knowledgeable therapist.

What to do When a Child is Chewing or Biting Excessively

For all cases of excessive chewing or biting parents must be proactive.  Parents must  intercede before the mouthing problems get out of control. The time to act is now.

To prepare for a consult with professionals, parents should carefully observe and document when this behavior occurs and try to identify the causes. Does mouthing occur when the child is tired, angry, anxious, overwhelmed, bored…write it as a journal with lots of notes.

To stop the biting requires
 getting to the root of the biting problem.

Many communities have Early Intervention Programs that give a head start to children 3 years and older. Take advantage of all these services offered before your child reaches school age. The goal of these programs is to get your child school-ready and to plan with the school what accommodations your child should receive when he gets there.   


When a family has knowledge and support it increases their chance of success. In turn, early treatment can improve their lives  and those of their kids at home, at school and at play.




Once a child turns 3 years old,
 biting may indicate other
behavioral problems.

Disorders Having  Biting and Chewing as Symptoms

(note that many disorders can co-exist)

• Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), including Aspergers  (AS)

• Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Related Posts:
*Canada Limiting Phthalates ~ Making Kids' Items Safer

*Kid Companions Chewelry ~ An Attempt At Restoring Sanity by Ali Foley Shenk

*Passed Toddlerhood and Still Mouthing ~ Guest Post ~ by Emma Apple

*There is a New Kid Companion on Our Block

*Product Innovators Launch Unique Sensory Tool for Special Needs YouthWhat would tip you off that a child is biting or chewing beyond the normal mouthing stage?

Product Innovators Launch Unique Sensory Tool for Special Needs Youth

The idea behind an innovative chewable fidget for special needs youth is aimed at addressing sensory and focus issues while helping youth fit-in. Kid Companions fill a long time void of occupational therapy tools for older children that can be incorporated into the classroom.

09-February-2010 – The recent results of the National Survey of Children's Health showed roughly 1 in 90 US children affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Add to this the gamut of other disorders (Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD), Anxiety disorders, Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), etc.) our children can be faced with, and it isn't surprising that an increasing number of special needs children are in our classrooms.

Unfortunately, traditional developmental and sensory tools are usually for younger children and can be bright and distracting. Product recalls have also drawn attention to safety troubles in toy land, especially toxic materials in imported goods. “In a world of increasing uncertainty about our childrens' health, The Kid Companion gives parents peace of mind,” said company founder and president, Pierrette d’Entremont. “The response from parents and health professionals has been overwhelmingly positive, we are delighted with the heartfelt feedback we receive.”

Kid Companion's ingenuity is in its' discreet effectiveness' and its safety features. The wearable tool is attractive for growing children, is ideal for SPD and ASD, and helps ADD/ADHD youth focus for tasks without calling attention to themselves or disrupting a classroom. Meg C., the mother of a youth with sensory integration issues incorporates the Kid Companion 'Chewelry' in her son's daily routine. "My son is a sensory kid and this is helping him be a lot more discreet with his need for biting and chewing. This product has made a huge difference for us..."

The Kid Companion was designed to North American safety standards. All components are safe, non-toxic and sourced in North America. A CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) 3rd party testing certificate is sent with each order and is available on the company's website.

The Kid Companion heart comes in four colors, pink, blue, yellow and green. For boys, there is a special line of black and white circle pendants, which also appeal to teens and adults. All pendants are soft and rubbery and contain a hard embossed dot in contrasting color. The product can be disassembled and washed with soap and water, and is dishwasher safe.

Media Information

Name	:	Pierrette d'Entremont
Phone	:	888 818 5004
Email	:	pierrette@chewelry.ca
Url	:	http://www.chewelry.ca/
PO Box	:	1076 hwy 335
City/Town	:	Middle West Pubnico
State/Province	:	Nova Scotia
Zip Code	:	B0W 2M0
Country	:	Canada Read a mom's testimonial about the benefits Kid Companions Chewelry has brought to her daughter here