Habits That Are Troublesome
Nail biting and finger picking in children are troublesome habits to cure. Unless it is caused by imitation, and this is by no means rare, a habit of this kind is a sure, sign that the nerves are not in good condition. Perhaps something is troubling the' child ’3 ; mind. It may be a feeling of inferierity if there are older and cleverer children; of loneliness, if he is a new baby; of anxiety; if ho is not nappy at school. It is the mother’s job to try to find out what, the cause is and, if possible, remove it. Meanwhile, she should draw- as little attention as possible to the bad habit, and never scold, punish, or nag. Often the child himself is quite unconscious of what he is do-1 ing and cannot control it. When the the nerves aro affected, anything which draws attention to the child, or fixes his mind on the habit, is detrimental.' Carefully inspect the child’s hands every day, filing the nails, pressing back tho cuticle and cutting away any “back biters.” A little girl can often be induced to leave off nail biting by the gift of a manicure set, and by being encouraged to take a pride in her
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Bibliographic details
Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 232, 2 October 1935, Page 15
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211Habits That Are Troublesome Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 232, 2 October 1935, Page 15
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