Toys in the Mouth

[daycare]

I have kids in this age group and I don't allow anything in the mouth.

no pacy

if a toys goes in the mouth it is taken away and put in a bucket to be cleaned later that day.

if hand goes in the math they get their hands washed. I can only have 3 under 2yrs at a time and rarely do I have kids in that age group in my care. Right now I only have 1 in that age group.

BUT I have kids of all ages that stick their hands in their mouths and off they have to go to wash their hands.

I would stop letting them have it at your house. Because I don't allow it from the start, the kids usually adjust quickly because it's not an option. When you take that out of the equation, they normally adjust quickly to not having one.

I would maybe talk to the parents and tell them that you are trying to work on not mouthing toys do to the fact that it is the number one way to spread germs in childcare. Ask them to help you by weaning their child off of the pacy so that they will not feel the need to always have something in their mouth. It will really help prevent their child from getting more sick as well as the others.

[mamamanda]

I have a 5 year old who still does thisYep, you read that right. Mom lets her chew on her blankie at home and sent a couple for her to chew on here. She says its her comfort thing and she sees zero problem with it. I pointed out a few problems...it is dripping with saliva and she is draping it over my couches, pillows, other kids, carpet, etc. So at my house she leaves it in her cubby during the day except at nap time. She is only allowed to have it when laying on her nap mat and when she gets up she puts it away herself b/c I don't want to touch it. I do wash it every couple days for my own peace of mind since it stays here. Since I don't allow the blankie during play time she chews on any toy she can get her hands on. I am constantly taking things away, sending her to wash hands, nothing I've found has worked. I'll try some of the tips in this thread, but at this point I only have 4 weeks left with her so I'm just holding on I do believe she has a sensory issue, but mom won't hear of it and won't allow a teething necklace/chew space etc. Maybe you could look into chewable jewelry for your kiddos if their parents would allow it? Then they could only chew on that and couldn't share.

[Blackcat31]

I've been following along and reading this thread and the kids in question are all under 5 yrs old correct?

If so, I am surprised at the number of posters that go to such lengths to keep kids from mouthing toys or even their own hands. :confused:

The sensations in their mouths and the brain signals they get via oral stimulation are so much greater than any of their other senses.

The stimulation received orally IS vital and important and is evident even before birth.

Even adults participate in oral stimulation by chewing on the ends of pens, or straws or even their fingernails.

Denying a child this type of stimulation can create other issues.

Oral stimulation is directly related to eating skills and language skills.

Children between birth and age 5 have an intrinsic motivation to chew or mouth things, especially when teething or getting new teeth....which happens until a child is around 5-6 yrs old.

I've always provided the kids (of ANY age under SA) something they CAN chew on or put in their mouths. I would never prohibit a child from mouthing or chewing on something. Provided what they are mouthing/chewing is appropriate and safe for mouthing/chewing.

[lovemykidstoo]

I've been following along and reading this thread and the kids in question are all under 5 yrs old correct?

If so, I am surprised at the number of posters that go to such lengths to keep kids from mouthing toys or even their own hands. :confused:

The sensations in their mouths and the brain signals they get via oral stimulation are so much greater than any of their other senses.

The stimulation received orally IS vital and important and is evident even before birth.

Even adults participate in oral stimulation by chewing on the ends of pens, or straws or even their fingernails.

Denying a child this type of stimulation can create other issues.

Oral stimulation is directly related to eating skills and language skills.

Children between birth and age 5 have an intrinsic motivation to chew or mouth things, especially when teething or getting new teeth....which happens until a child is around 5-6 yrs old.

I've always provided the kids (of ANY age under SA) something they CAN chew on or put in their mouths. I would never prohibit a child from mouthing or chewing on something. Provided what they are mouthing/chewing is appropriate and safe for mouthing/chewing.

BC thank you for the post, the bold is interesting to me and I would like to learn more. Do you have any articles at all about this so I can learn more?

[mommyneedsadayoff]

Yes, it's normal, but so is biting, hitting, and tantrums. Just because it's normal, doesn't mean it's ok and that we shouldn't be teaching them alternative behaviors. Because it is normal, we have to make sure we aren't punishing, but using gentle and respectful redirection to teach them that is not acceptable. I think an 18th month old is fully capable of understanding our intents if we approach it gently.

Biting and hitting are not normal behaviors to me. They are learned behaviors and not tolerated, because in the adult world, they could land you in jail...chewing on stuff is not in the same category. Even in the womb, babies will put their hands in their mouth, because ****ing, chewing, and using your wouth to feel and explore are instinctual and normal for almost every baby ever born. I think at 18 months old, it is very natural to put things in your mouth. I will wash my little one's toys a little more than the big kids toys for this reason. They chew on stuff, including their hands and they will drool and it is just a part of life. When my dog was a puppy and would start chewing on a shoe, I didn't get mad at her. I just took the shoe away and gave her an appropriate dog toy she could chew. It is normal for puppies to chew too, so I provided appropriate toys for it...just like I do with my littles. It is okay if we disagree, but I am like Black cat. I was sort of surprised that only the two of us see this as perfectly normal behavior.

[lovemykidstoo]

Biting and hitting are not normal behaviors to me. They are learned behaviors and not tolerated, because in the adult world, they could land you in jail...chewing on stuff is not in the same category. Even in the womb, babies will put their hands in their mouth, because ****ing, chewing, and using your wouth to feel and explore are instinctual and normal for almost every baby ever born. I think at 18 months old, it is very natural to put things in your mouth. I will wash my little one's toys a little more than the big kids toys for this reason. They chew on stuff, including their hands and they will drool and it is just a part of life. When my dog was a puppy and would start chewing on a shoe, I didn't get mad at her. I just took the shoe away and gave her an appropriate dog toy she could chew. It is normal for puppies to chew too, so I provided appropriate toys for it...just like I do with my littles. It is okay if we disagree, but I am like Black cat. I was sort of surprised that only the two of us see this as perfectly normal behavior.

I didn't really say it was normal or not, I was just wondering because I have not really had kids that did that non-stop and now I have 2 that do it. I was more wondering if it had to do with the paci or lack thereof here that was causing more of it and at what age did people limit the paci.

[Blackcat31]

BC thank you for the post, the bold is interesting to me and I would like to learn more. Do you have any articles at all about this so I can learn more?

I don't have articles available off hand but I can find some for you.

I have a DCM that is a speech therapist and she is always talking about the importance of chewing/mouthing toys etc so I am betting she is a wealth of resources so I will ask her for a few handouts/articles I can link you to.

[lovemykidstoo]

I don't have articles available off hand but I can find some for you.

I have a DCM that is a speech therapist and she is always talking about the importance of chewing/mouthing toys etc so I am betting she is a wealth of resources so I will ask her for a few handouts/articles I can link you to.

That woudl be great. Of course I can always google too, but you never know what is really good information or not. Just cause it's on the net, doesn't make it so .

I have a 2 1/2 yr old that is having such a hard time talking. His mom is talking with her friend that is a speech therapist about him. He hears fine, but doesn't say hardly anything. He completely understands too. If you ask him to do something or go get something, he totally gets it.

[mommyneedsadayoff]

I didn't really say it was normal or not, I was just wondering because I have not really had kids that did that non-stop and now I have 2 that do it. I was more wondering if it had to do with the paci or lack thereof here that was causing more of it and at what age did people limit the paci.

I was responding to another poster who had replied to my comment about it being normal. I don't really think the paci has much to do with it, because I have had kids with pacis who do it and kids who never had a paci who do it. I thik it is perfectly fine to limit paci use to naps and then cut it out altogether. Of course, getting mom and dad to do that at home is another story Like I said earlier, you could just tell mom and dad to leave them int he car and keep one for their nap time that stays at your house. Then if they get fussy and mom or dad want to give it to them, you can push them out the door and say "better get in the car so you can get it! Bye!"
If they are youngest and you are able to have a special box of toys specifically for them to chew on, that could help you keep it contained or only have to wash certain toys. If they go to put a different toy in their mouth, just gently say, "this toy is not for your mouth" and hand them an acceptable toy from the box. They may learn that they can chew, but only on those specific toys and not everything. Hope that helps!

[lovemykidstoo]

I was responding to another poster who had replied to my comment about it being normal. I don't really think the paci has much to do with it, because I have had kids with pacis who do it and kids who never had a paci who do it. I thik it is perfectly fine to limit paci use to naps and then cut it out altogether. Of course, getting mom and dad to do that at home is another story Like I said earlier, you could just tell mom and dad to leave them int he car and keep one for their nap time that stays at your house. Then if they get fussy and mom or dad want to give it to them, you can push them out the door and say "better get in the car so you can get it! Bye!"
If they are youngest and you are able to have a special box of toys specifically for them to chew on, that could help you keep it contained or only have to wash certain toys. If they go to put a different toy in their mouth, just gently say, "this toy is not for your mouth" and hand them an acceptable toy from the box. They may learn that they can chew, but only on those specific toys and not everything. Hope that helps!

Oh good because I was hoping that I wasn't coming off as thinking that these boys were not normal or anything . As long as my husband never sees them mouthing the arm of his leather lazy boy, we'll be ok. How many times a day do I sanitize that ewwww

[Blackcat31]

Oh good because I was hoping that I wasn't coming off as thinking that these boys were not normal or anything . As long as my husband never sees them mouthing the arm of his leather lazy boy, we'll be ok. How many times a day do I sanitize that ewwww

Strategically place acceptable chew toys on the arm of the recliner.

Direct to the toy any time you see them going for the leather....

[daycare]

while I understand that this is normal for children in this age group, especailly for children under 2. this is how they learn to explore their surroundings by using their senses, touching, tasting and etc. the more they explore, the more they learn.


However, I was taught in my health and safety class that when children are in group care, we are to try and reduce mouthing of toys, hands and etc for children over the age 2 because of cross contamination and choking.

I have mostly kids over 2, we try to encourage them not to stick things in their mouths other than food. If they stick their hands in their mouths we don't tell them it is wrong, we just ask them to wash their hands so that we can try to maintain a health environment for all.

[Blackcat31]

However, I was taught in my health and safety class that when children are in group care, we are to try and reduce mouthing of toys, hands and etc for children over the age 2 because of cross contamination and choking.

You can accomplish elimination of cross contamination and choking by not allowing the children to share chew toys (and sanitizing them as soon as they are done) and never allowing them to chew on anything not meant for chewing or anything that could be a potential choking hazard.

Eliminating their natural instinct to chew/mouth things usually results in increased need to chew and/or obsessive oral fixations.

You know...like an itch that isn't scratched. Just covered instead. Doesn't make the itch go away....just makes you think about it or want to scratch it even more.

[daycarediva]

Saliva grosses me out. We have a 'dirty toy bin'. When they are done mouthing something, they toss it in there. I sanitize it and wash it. I only do it once a week, so especially the older kiddos think twice about putting it in their mouths.

Yup it's normal. Yup it's necessary for their development but it needs limits in group care.

I limit paci's to nap, and I honestly prefer those over the thumb ****ers I currently have (4!) because I am constantly having them wash their hands.

The only kids who had the cold that ran through here are the kids who still mouth toys. The 3 that do not never even had a sniffle.

If it was just a particular child or two, I would find something that I could clip to them, or leave in a cubby that was just theirs. I have a taggy sensory blanket for my newest dcg. She loves to rub the different fabrics. It has reduced her oral sensory fixation.

https://jet.com/product/detail/04064930ff504ccc88ca63f18f4a0d4b?jcmp=pla:ggl:home_garden_a3:linens_bedding_bedding_blankets_a3_other:na:na:na:na:na:2&code=PLA15&k_clickid=dd706e6e-e4dd-49a6-a1b3-c592c6766878&gclid=CIqVsa7508gCFUkYHwodXwwEhw

[daycare]

Saliva grosses me out. We have a 'dirty toy bin'. When they are done mouthing something, they toss it in there. I sanitize it and wash it. I only do it once a week, so especially the older kiddos think twice about putting it in their mouths.

Yup it's normal. Yup it's necessary for their development but it needs limits in group care.

I limit paci's to nap, and I honestly prefer those over the thumb ****ers I currently have (4!) because I am constantly having them wash their hands.

The only kids who had the cold that ran through here are the kids who still mouth toys. The 3 that do not never even had a sniffle.

If it was just a particular child or two, I would find something that I could clip to them, or leave in a cubby that was just theirs. I have a taggy sensory blanket for my newest dcg. She loves to rub the different fabrics. It has reduced her oral sensory fixation.

https://jet.com/product/detail/04064...FUkYHwodXwwEhw

This! This is exactly their reasoning that it needs to be limited in group care because of this reason.

again I am not saying its wrong that they are doing it, but I see it no different than a child's desire to seek out personal body parts, it's not ok for daycare, they need to do it at home.