What does nail biting mean? Why do some people bite nail? What should be done to prevent it?
Nail Biting; Nail-biting is a sign of tenseness. lt is more common in relatively high-strung, worrisome children. They start to bite when they are anxious-for instance, while waiting to be called on in school, while watching a scary episode in a movie. It isn’t necessarily a serious sign in a generally happy, successful child, but it is always worth thinking over.
Nagging or punishing a nail-biter usually doesn’t stop him for longer than half a minute because he seldom realizes he is doing it. In the long run, it may increase his tension. Bitter medicine on the nails rarely helps.
The better course is to find out what some of the pressures on the child are and try to relieve them. ls he being urged or corrected or warned or scolded too much? Are the parents expecting too much in the way of lessons? Consult the teacher about his school adjustment. If movie, radio, and TV adventures make him much more jittery than the average child he’d better be kept away from the worst programs.
A girl beyond the age of 3 may be helped by a manicure set, and perhaps some nail polish, if they are offered in a cooperative spirit.
