By the time she's two years old, your child will use her fingers to explore most of the time. And by the age of three years, most children have stopped putting objects into their mouths. You will also need to check that anything poisonous is kept well out of her reach, preferably in a locked cupboard.
STRESS / ANXIETY
Chewing provides proprioceptive input to the jaw that is very calming and organizing. It's similar to how some people might bite their fingernails when they're nervous, or pace back and forth, do deep breathing, tap their foot, etc.
It isn't unusual, though, for your 3-year-old to continue this behavior as he explores his world, which is why toys with small parts are still a choking hazard. 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.
The child is using the oral sensory seeking input to self-regulate or self-soothe. As we said above, sucking is very calming. It is a strategy that babies use to help self soothe and regulate. Some children continue to use this strategy even when they are older.
“Children might chew or suck on things to calm their bodies when they are overstimulated or overwhelmed,” she explains. Some kids use chewing to help them focus. Fingers, toys, collars, sleeves, rocks and tennis balls are among the items she's seen kids mouth.
The most common explanation for why some children chew is because of stress and/or anxiety. Chewing provides proprioceptive input to the jaw that is calming and self-organizing.
Usually, oral seeking behaviors are quite normal for kids at this age. It's also very important that they are supervised with proper care under surveillance. The activities below are prime examples of kids performing oral seeking actions: Putting pencils and toys in their mouth.
The habit of swallowing non-food items is called pica. Both are very common among people who have autism. I'm glad to share some of my insights as an occupational therapist who frequently works with families whose children have this dangerous tendency.
Some of reasons for chewing may include anxiety, stress, sensory issues, boredom and general habit.
Autism and oral fixation are linked through sensory processing disorders. It involves chewing on things to alleviate anxiety and stress. Oral fixation is when you feel the need to chew, suck, or hold an object in your mouth. This behavior is common for babies, but generally alleviates as the child ages.
When do babies start mouthing? Babies typically start mouthing by 4 months, once they're able to bring their hands to their mouths and suck on their fingers. At 6 months, this habit kicks into overdrive, and your little one will start mouthing just about anything she can grab.
When she mouths her train, say, "That's a toy. Toys don't go in our mouths," or, "We put food in our mouths, not toys." Restricting eating to specific areas, such as the kitchen table, will help reinforce this rule.
Children as young as age 4 can be diagnosed with ADHD. According to the 2010-2011 National Survey of Children's Health, approximately 194,000 preschoolers (2-5 years of age) had a current ADHD diagnosis. Some children outgrow the symptoms, but others may not.
Children with atypical oral processing may respond in a heightened way to oral input; this is called oral hypersensitivity (or oral aversion or defensiveness). These children may be considered “picky” or “selective” eaters, choke or gag easily, resist utensils, and/or resist tooth brushing or the dentist.
Learning points. Biting or chewing hard objects is part of stimming behaviours in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Stimming is a self-regulatory mechanism for people with ASD to cope with anxiety. Sensory processing disintegration is an established cause for stimming behaviours.
Offering foods of a variety of textures can reduce the need to chew. Incorporating a variety of textures in your child's mealtimes and snack times can drastically reduce the need to chew on non-food items.
Most of the time, you'll find compulsive eating has nothing to do with hunger. It's a habit kids—and adults—develop to ease stress, depression, anxiety or even boredom. The other day, my daughter told me she was hungry just an hour after she had eaten. Turns out she was bored and didn't know what to do with herself.
People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. People with ASD may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention. It is important to note that some people without ASD might also have some of these symptoms.
Children who have a sensory processing disorder often seek oral stimulation. This can also be a symptom of autism and ADHD. Unfortunately, this behavior can cause children with autism and other sensory disorders to put unsafe or unsanitary items in their mouths.
It is not uncommon to see autistic children giggling to themselves. One reason might be that they are reliving some funny moment, using recorded, stored sensory images.
Symptoms of oral-motor and oral-sensory problems
Food falling from the mouth. Gagging. Coughing or choking. Low intake of food (the child may not consume enough calories because it takes so long to eat)
ADHD stimming is self-stimulating behavior. It may done to self-soothe or to increase focus and attention. Rocking back and forth, chewing the inside of the cheeks, and humming are just some examples of stimming.
Several other parents wrote about their ADHD children putting objects in their mouths that aren't especially safe or sanitary, ruining clothing, ruining other objects in the environment by chewing on them or staining them, and even swallowing objects like pencil stubs.
Finally, the child may be experiencing sensory overload and is likely using the chewing to help calm their nervous system. This is common in children with sensory processing disorder, autism and learn disabilities. Chewing is sometimes a strategy used by children with ADHD.