My darling little boy for months now will poke you in the eyes. He sticks his fingers in your ears, nose, and mouth. He sticks his fingers in the dog's nose and mouth and the ferrets' mouth. We tried biting his fingers when he puts it in our mouth but he thinks it is funny. He even does this to toys! How do we get him to stop? How much longer will he do this?
I think it is pretty normal at this age to do this. They are just curious. My son and daughter both think its funny when they put there fingers in our mouths and we "bite" on them. The y will out grow this. But if they do something that is hurting you or someone else be firm and so NO!
Good luck!
This is totally normal. I wouldn't bite the fingers for fear that he might think that is acceptable behavior and start biting. No need to open that can of worms...although he could end up being a biter anyway. We just take our child's hand say "gentle" and brush her hand on our ears or nose to show how it should be done. You could also just set him down if he continues the undesirable activity.
I recommend these resources...
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/6/T063900.asp#T062400
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/6/T060300.asp
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/6/T060400.asp
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/6/T060500.asp
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/6/T060800.asp
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/6/T061300.asp
Best wishes,
J.
L.,
My son does this, too. Now that he's older he says the name of the body part as he does it. I remember once in church he was trying to pluck my eyelashes, naturally in a part where everyone holds hands lol. It's normal, just say the body part's name & move on, ask where his eyes are, nose, etc.
Have fun!
D.
Avoiding his finger is the best measure at this age!
You didn't say his age, but he's probably under 1 yr old. Try to get him to stop. grab his hand gently before he pokes it in your eye, etc., say "no, Johnny, no!" and use a facial expression that startles him, like very upset, angry, etc. If you are secretly smiling because of his cute behavior, and it was cute in the beginning, stop that now and have your body language and words go together. Just heard today that children this young can be given a "time out" by turning them away from you and holding them that way for a bit of time. So if he does manage a poke, try doing this.
