Habit is a strong behavior pattern that is repeated again and again. Five of the most common habits of children that often annoy parents include nailbiting, thumb sucking, hair twirling, nose picking, and breath holding. Although a child’s habits may be irritating to parents, in most cases a habit is just a phase in the normal developmental process and no need for alarm. Habits also tend to occur in clusters, so it is not unusual to see a child chewing on her nails while entwining her other hand in her hair.
Experts admit that they are not always sure what causes a habit, but they know it is a learned behavior that usually provides a positive experience for the child. Habits may develop as entertainment for a bored child, or as a coping mechanism to soothe an anxious one. Biting nails or twirling hair might be one way a child relieves tension, just as a parent might try to relax by having a cocktail or exercising.
Most habits eventually disappear. Often if a parent ignores a habit, the behavior will eventually stop when the child no longer needs it or outgrows it. Many habits, in fact, do disappear when a child reaches school age.