How to Get a 4-year-old to Stop Sucking His Thumb

If you want your 4-year-old to stop sucking his thumb, you need to be consistent. This is not something you want to start and then stop. Although thumb sucking is usually just the way a for the child to calm and sooth himself, the habit can later lead to dental and speech problems, and even teasing by peers. To help your child break this habit, make sure you are prepared to handle the situation with patience, understanding and diligence.

Things You'll Need

  • Gloves
  • Games
  • Stickers and a chart

Instructions

    • 1

      Make the child aware that he is sucking his thumb. Explain to the child that he no longer needs to suck his thumb and tell him that you are going to help him quit sucking his thumb.

    • 2

      Distract the child by giving him lots of attention. Keep him busy with games and activities. When he begins to suck his thumb, get him to do something else, but don't yell, "Don't suck your thumb." You don't want to make him nervous about it.

    • 3

      Put gloves or mittens on the child. Explain to him that you are trying to remind him to not suck his thumb. Make him aware that the gloves are not a punishment, just a reminder.

    • 4

      Develop a reward system. Set a number of hours or days, whatever works best for you and your child, and select a reward to be given if the child goes the set time without sucking his thumb. Use a chart with stickers to document his progress. Make sure to praise the child for every little bit he goes without sucking his thumb along the way. This will give him positive feedback making him more eager to try. Don't punish or scold the child if he does lapse, however. Remember, this is how he calms and comforts himself, so upsetting him or making him nervous is not helping him avoid this habit.

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