Zwirbel-Tick, stuffed animal craze, comforter quirk – almost every child has a quirk. But what does this mean for the child's development? And when are quirks dangerous? We'll tell you what quirks are all about and how you can best deal with them.
Ticks in children
One of them scratches his head on a task, the other twists his hair into tangles when he hears an exciting story. Some children chew their sleeves when they are excited, and others slide their tongues into the corner of their mouths when they concentrate. Everyone knows such quirks – and almost every child has one too.
What are quirks?
Doctors call quirks and tics skipping actions. This refers to actions that we unconsciously carry out when we are not comfortable in certain situations. This is the case, for example, when you go to kindergarten for the first time without mom. Because we cannot run away, skipping acts such as scratching the head or chewing on the pencil occur to calm us down.
What is the difference between quirks and compulsions?
Children love certain rituals. That is why ritualized, sometimes compulsive behaviors appear in many forms in development that are completely normal. These quirks and rituals help children to cope better with a larger development step. For example, there are children who cannot fall asleep until they have read a set bedtime ritual such as a bedtime story. Serious obsessive-compulsive disease, on the other hand, impairs development tasks that are due in the long term, such as the first day of school. If your child develops quirks out of fear in advance, you should see a pediatrician.
When do quirks become dangerous?
The causes of a quirk come from the subconscious. Most of these quirks are harmless, but parents should still keep an eye on them. Because sometimes a quirk can also become pathological and compulsive. For example, many adults suffer from compulsion to clean and cannot stop cleaning or washing themselves. This can go so far that they rub the skin away.
But don't worry: not every strange habit has to be put into the category of compulsions. However, if children really have an obsession, it is important to seek help from a psychiatrist. He helps your child to get rid of the compulsion through therapy.
What quirks are there?
- Cuddly toy quirks: Many children have a stuffed animal that they are particularly attached to. And when it should go in the washing machine, tears usually flow. Some children can only fall asleep if the cuddly toys are in the right order next to them. And others take the loyal companion with them to go shopping, to the doctor, etc. Studies show that cuddly toys are listed right after their parents on the popularity scale. Why it is like that? The stuffed animal was already lying next to the child in the pram or in the cradle and was simply always by his side. That's why it simply belongs to the child – as part of themselves. Many toddlers tell the cuddly toy their experiences and discuss worries and worries with them. It is also ideal as a play partner for fictional role-playing games.
- Cuddle cloth quirk: Cuddling and snuggling are very important for children. It gives them a feeling of security, which is why the sometimes rather worn blanket has to go everywhere with you. The reason: Children in the second and third year of life are very attached to their caregiver and need a lot of closeness. They constantly have to make sure that it is still there. The feeling of well-being comes from the familiar feeling, smell and taste. By the way, schoolchildren are often still attached to a certain object, and even many adults always carry a talisman with them – so this need rarely disappears completely.
- Thumb sucking: Babies have an innate sucking reflex so that they can drink the milk from the mother's breast. Sucking also has calming and relaxing effects. Because of this, the baby sucks and sucks faster when he is excited. The thumb later has the clear advantage that it is available at all times and that it cannot be lost. However, thumb sucking has two disadvantages. On the one hand, the one-sided pressure shifts the jaw forward and the teeth are misaligned. Second, thumb sucking can lead to a strong habit that is difficult to get rid of. So try to get your child used to the pacifier. It's easier to get rid of it again.
- Zwirbel-Tick: Both children and adults love to twist small nodules in their hair when they are excited. This repetitive movement calms you down and creates a feeling of security. If you try to control the situation by placing your hands on your lap or on the table, for example, you can get this quirk under control.
How can my child get rid of the quirks?
No matter what quirk it is, you should always take your child seriously and under no circumstances constantly reprimand them. Think of a ritual so that the child can say goodbye to his loyal companion (also: symbolically). In the case of ticks, it makes sense to draw the child's attention to this and to give them help on how best to get rid of the tic. Most of the time, however, it is enough for the child to be aware of its tic; then it pays more attention to it and tries to avoid it in the future.
This article originally appeared on Eltern.de.