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I only have 3 year olds right now and I have been letting them play with my toys that have smaller pieces lately. I catch one of the girls putting some sort of small piece in her mouth daily. She is the only one who puts the toys in her mouth. Is it to punitive to not let her play with those toys anymore? She would have to play in a separate area in order for me to make sure she is not getting small pieces and she would be the only one separated so she would have to play by herself. I would still be able to supervise her properly, but I feel bad she would be by herself. Or should I just take away the toys from everyone? I feel bad because the other ones really enjoy these toys and use them safely.
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I wouldn't make the others lose out on something they are mature enough to participate in.
I'd just have the one that mouths things play separately but I'd do it AFTER I caught her putting something in her mouth.
Give her the opportunity to NOT do it...kwim? Otherwise, how will you know when she is ready to not mouth things?
I know oral fixations can be a tough behavior to manage and it's different for all kids but I definitely wouldn't limit the other kids. To me, that is like lowering the bar so that everyone gets a participation reward.
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This is how I handle it as well. We have rugs and our toys are separated by centers or areas. If you mouth a toy (or play rough with a toy) you are moved to a different center with "baby toys." I don't call them baby toys to the children, but they are larger toys that are too large to be mouthed and difficult to break.I wouldn't make the others lose out on something they are mature enough to participate in.
I'd just have the one that mouths things play separately but I'd do it AFTER I caught her putting something in her mouth.
Give her the opportunity to NOT do it...kwim? Otherwise, how will you know when she is ready to not mouth things?
I know oral fixations can be a tough behavior to manage and it's different for all kids but I definitely wouldn't limit the other kids. To me, that is like lowering the bar so that everyone gets a participation reward.Comment
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Smaller toys are put on table tops during centers. So here she would be reminded of the limits (no putting toys in our mouths) at the start of that play, and reminded of the consequences (being removed from the center activity). I don't do multiple chances, so she would be moved. I would continue to let her try. Eventually it will click!Comment
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Yes, this.....if you can't play like a big kid, you don't get big kid toys..they learn quicklyI wouldn't make the others lose out on something they are mature enough to participate in.
I'd just have the one that mouths things play separately but I'd do it AFTER I caught her putting something in her mouth.
Give her the opportunity to NOT do it...kwim? Otherwise, how will you know when she is ready to not mouth things?
I know oral fixations can be a tough behavior to manage and it's different for all kids but I definitely wouldn't limit the other kids. To me, that is like lowering the bar so that everyone gets a participation reward.Comment
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I'd ask the parents to have an evaluation done. Occupational or speech therapy could help tame the oral fixation. While many kids do this at age 3, it's not what I'd consider "normal". Our OT told me that 3 is too old for this behavior and that the twin 3 yo's that I have need therapy services (they have a host of other issues, too). These kids will chew/**** on furniture (couch, table, countertop), their hands, their clothes-ANYTHING they can get their lips around is fair game.Comment
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