Question

Nail-biting(咬指甲) is one of the most common annoying habits in children. 1. But you needn’t worry too much and as soon as you realize what’s causing nail-biting, you can help your child overcome and stop it. So, here’s what you can do about it.

2. In some cases, children won’t even realize they are biting their nails, let alone know why they are doing it. So make sure you have a conversation with your child (if he/she is old enough) and make him/her realize he/she is doing it and try to figure out why it’s happening. 3. It’s important to agree on the level of your involvement. If he/she wants help, create a secret reminder that will make him/her stop without embarrassing him/her.

Give alternatives (替代物).4. Depending on the age of the child, there are several things that you can offer such as a small ball, Play-Doh games, or any kind of other small toys.

Use bitter solutions(溶液). Forcing a child to keep this solution on his/her fingers may feel like a punishment. 5. Everything else will only lead to embarrassment and discouragement. Furthermore, some of these solutions contain pepper which burns if it enters a child’s mouth or eyes. But if you have an adolescent child who wants to quit biting his/her nails, you may suggest and try out this solution.

A.It’s also likely to continue as the child grows up.

B.Help the child become aware of the habit.

C.You should also consider asking for professional help.

D.Make an agreement on how you’re going to stop it together.

E.The best thing children can do is communicate with their parents.

F.The child needs to go through the process painlessly and in agreement with you.

G.That will keep his/her hands occupied when he/she is likely to bite his/her nails.

Answer 1