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There are many tricks that you can try in order to help your child break a bad habit: (1)

1. Don’t give attention to the annoying behavior. Your child will probably outgrow the habit with time. Giving a lot of attention may actually encourage the behavior.
2. Praise your child for good behavior. The best kind of praise simply describes what you see that you'd like to see more of.
3. Find a substitute and fill his time with activities and reinforcement.
4. It may be nearly impossible to stop the bad habit until the child becomes interested in stopping. For example, a little girl may actually get enough “benefit” out of biting her nails that she will not be willing to stop. When she gets a little older, though, she may be interested in having nice looking nails. Then you will be able to help her quit.
5. If there are several behaviors you want to change, start by focusing on one or two of the most bothersome or dangerous ones. Don't try to make too many changes at once.
6. Try to figure out what may be making your child stressed and help them address it. Give your child chances to talk to you about things that might be worrying them.
7. Let your child make decisions whenever possible, by giving them acceptable choices. This will help your child feel in control, reducing stress and frustration.
8. Redirect your child and help them find a better place, or better way to do what they are trying to do. For example, if their nose is irritated, have them clean it with a tissue, apply saline nasal spray, and then wash their hands. If they simply must go “digging,” have them do it in the bathroom, not in public, and wash their hands afterward.

Dr. Bilal Dhayni

Pediatrician

^{(1) Bad Habits | CS Mott Children's Hospital | Michigan Medicine https://www.mottchildren.org}