My 7yr old daughter recently started a habit of picking her face while she is reading or watching tv. ?

Question

How can I stop this before it gets worst and she scars her face?

Answer 1

I highly doubt a 7 yr old will wear gloves or mittens while reding or watching TV. Give her something else to do with her hands while she watches TV. You can buy those litle wiggly balls and that sort of thing to keep her hands busy. Continue to give her reminders as she probably doesn't realize she is doing it and explain to her what could happen if she continues doing it.

Answer 2

you could put gloves over her hands  

Answer 3

That actually is a fairly common nervous habit of children that age. It is a compulsive act, and sometimes they even do it in their sleep.

The first step is to find out if others have made comments to her about it. You may require her teachers assistance with this. If indeed it has been noticeable, ask her if she would like help to stop this habit. You basically have to get her to want to stop it. Let her know that many children that age have this problem but learn to stop it when their friends notice.  You might try some of the following

* teach her how to wash her face to make sure it isn't dirty when she takes a nap or goes to bed. Then, suggest she use this cleaning method whenever she feels her face is dirty.

* Have her wear some type of gloves or mittens when tired or going to sleep.

* Work out a reward system for not picking at her face. Make is something that is a real incentive.