Kids put everything in their mouths. It’s supposed to be just a stage.
But what’s going on when older kids refuse to give up the habit or regress back to it? And how should they cope?
When kids (and adults) chew on objects, it engages the powerful muscles in the jaw. The chomping powerfully stimulates a VERY important sense, the proprioceptive sense.
If you’re familiar with the world of sensory processing, you probably know that the proprioceptive sense has to do with body awareness, coming from pressure on joints and ligaments.
You may not know that proprioceptive input is universally calming and beneficial to the brain.
And while your child may be unaware, their body is craving that input via the “heavy work” of the jaw muscles.
So it’s really a good thing, a helpful thing.
Unfortunately, it can sometimes be socially unacceptable or even harmful (hurting their fingers, chewing dangerous objects, etc.)
So how can you as a parent help your child cope and find acceptable ways to get the proprioceptive oral input they crave?
Here’s some of our favorite ideas…
(I am honored to have this post sponsored by ARK Therapeutic. My family has used their products for years and they stand out from the crowd!)
Activities
Blow a Ping Pong Ball or Pom Pom from one place to another (Really challenge them and get them in prone position with this idea.)
Blow Bubbles
Suck a Thick Smoothie or Yogurt through a Crazy Straw (This smoothie can actually help with your child’s sensory symptoms and tastes wonderful!)
Bubble Mountain (Learn how to make one here.)
Skip the Brush and Blow Paint (See how here.)
Airbrush Markers (One of our personal favorites, it’s hard work!)
Don’t forget the connection between oral sensory seeking and proprioceptive seeking. Very often, by getting proprioceptive input to other parts of the body, you can help alleviate the need to chew.
If you’re needing sensory activity ideas for every need, situation and budget, you’ve gotta get FREE access to the sensory activities “VAULT” HERE.
Tools
Eat Crunchy and Chewy Foods like Carrots or Gum
Get a Vibrating Toothbrush and have them feel the sensations all over the inside of their mouth as well as along the outside of their jaw line
And the easiest, most travel worthy, and satisfying… the CHEWY!!!
There are so many different types of chewys available through ARK Therapeutic, you’ll be sure to find one that fits your child’s preferences. Some have a lot of give, while others are quite tough. Some are textured, some are smooth. Some are even scented! And they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes!
My son loves the Grabber XXT. It can get way back to his back molars and it can handle his extremely strong jaw for much longer than other products on the market we’ve tried.
We also love the “Brick Stick”. As you can see from his smile, he doesn’t feel “different” from other kids when he wears it. He just feels cool.
A photo posted by Julie (@mymundaneandmiraculouslife) on
Looking for more sensory activities? Check out these printable ones with great visuals!
Julie is a frazzled mom of three tornadoes. As a dorky second-generation homeschooler, she writes about learning and play, natural living, special needs parenting and matters of the heart. She serves an astounding God that radically saved her.
Follow My Mundane and Miraculous Life through social media!
Nell Regan Kartychok says
Thank you for linking to my green smoothie post. I assure you that it is the best tasting green smoothie ever. Not only do I provide my favorite recipe, but I deliver all the secrets I’ve learned so that YOU can design YOUR best tasting smoothie ever 🙂
Julie says
I read it! Seemed pretty well researched! 😉
Beth says
Thanks for the giveaway! I have two chewers!
Julie says
Oh course! Please share with your friends!
Georgina @ Craftulate says
What great products! I’ve not seen these before!
Julie says
They really are the best!
Sophia says
Hiya I am still a lottle confused over my son chewing his fingers or toys. He does it mainly when watching TV. I dont like the idea of him using a chew toy. I would lile some more information on this can you direct me somewhere.
Julie says
Well, I’m not an Occupational Therapist, so just take my suggestions as one mom to another. First, ALL kids and adults have sensory needs. Only some fall into the extremely categories that effect their ability to function “normally”. My son chews his fingers till they bleed and then he keeps going! That’s not typical. I understand being hesitant to use a chew tool. I’d try doing a couple of those activities just before watching TV, see if that stems it a bit. Is he old enough to chew gum? Just try getting him that sensory input in different ways and that will give you a clue what motivates the chewing, or maybe it’s just boredom! 🙂 Hope that helps!
Angela says
I have an 11 year old who puts anything and everything in his mouth and chews on it. It can be anything from paper to soda can tops. I am desperate for Help. To get him to stop putting these things in his mouth and chewing on them. He is on the autism spectrum.
Julie says
Have you tried any of these chew tools? I bet he’d like a textured one since it seems more tactile than proproceptive. But I’m only guessing, mom here, not an OT.
Leann says
Thanks so much for the giveaway. I have a grandson who is a chewer. I have just recently gotten him 3 different chewies as he calls them from ARK. The last time I saw him (he is 3) He said green, chewie, and pointed to his necklace and then proceeded to show me how it worked by chewing on it! I am so thankful for ARK and now I have found your site for helpful information on this. Thanks again!
Julie says
So glad you’ve found us too! Your grandson seems like a sweetheart! Stick around and we’ll get the helpful info coming! 😉
Breed7 says
what do you expect when you homeschool your children in an environment without rules, expectations, or disciple? This is not the child’s fault. It is 100% on the poor parenting. Appropriate socialization in a structured school environment would have prevented this from happening in the first place.
Julie says
Sir or Ma’am,
I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt, (which you did not give me) and assume you only read the title of my post before you decided to rapidly type your opinions about my son and myself. I’m not sure if your issue is with homeschooling, a diagnosis of Sensory Processing Disorder, or both.
I myself was also very skeptical about the legitimacy of SPD. But I do know this. After implementing some simple therapy techniques like the Wilbarger Brushing Protocol and doing lots of heavy work, my son was able to function again. He got his life back. I know other people will doubt the validity of SPD, but I also know I will not let my pride or fear of others’ opinions keep me from doing what is best for my son.
What do I expect from homeschooling my own children? I expect my children to be tactful enough to disagree with others in a constructive, compassionate and logical way. I have four overarching goals for my children educationally. I want them to LOVE learning and see the benefit of continuing that over a lifetime. I want them to know HOW to learn in favorable and unfavorable situations. I want them to know how to think CRITICALLY because the world is full of lies and half truths that we’re all susceptible to believing. And I want them to know how to COMMUNICATE effectively which includes logical thought processes and loving concern.
You should know that you are writing a homeschool graduate (K-12th, Baby!). It prepared me for life; scholastically, socially and spiritually. Scholastically: I am a college graduate with a 4.0 GPA and many honors to my name. Socially: I have no trouble making friends with all sorts of people, regardless of age, gender, or differing opinions. Spiritually: I know that my worth and your worth come from what God has done for us; namely, He created us and took the punishment of our rebellion against Him, onto Himself. And because I know this, I completely forgive you for your unkind words towards me and my family. I’ve been forgiven WAY more. Trust me.
You can read that story here… https://www.mymundaneandmiraculouslife.com/my-testimony/
Meghan says
While their undignified comment was certainly not worthy of any response, yours is spot on! Keep up the great work, Mama!
Nell Regan Kartychok says
Dear commenter known as Breed7,
How can you possibly know what this mother’s homeschool environment is like? Based on her informative post and her graceful reply to your insults I would assume that she provides rules, expectations, and discipline. Any parent that takes the time to help her child, homeschool her child, and help other parents that may be going through the same struggles is as good a parent as you will EVER find. Parents that choose to send their kids to school are not bad parents, they are just choosing another lifestyle that is right for them. There is no reason to downcast others for their willingness to take their child’s learning and socialization into their own hands – especially when they have special needs. The education system will NEVER be able to offer this child what this caring mother CAN and DOES. Think about it.
Laura says
BRAVO JULIE! YOU SOUND LIKE AN AMAZING MOM. THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR STORIES AND THESE RESOURCES!
Linda Teter says
Just ran across your post as a speech pathologist looking for answers for one of my young friends. As it turns out I am also a mother who homeschooled her 5 children. They all graduated from college and have thriving careers and lives. Sorry for people who don’t understand that homeschool does not equal ignorance and losers.