4 Quirky Kid Behaviors That Actually Have Purpose

Common Quirky Behaviors in Kids

Research shows that up to 70% of typically developing kids engage in repetitive and seemingly purposeless movements like leg shaking، nail-biting، or hair twirling.1 And not only are these quirks typical (hello، what adult doesn't do at least one of these things)، but kids have them for a reason: They're a way to self-regulate their senses.

"Once you understand what your child is doing why they're doing and the purpose it serves، you'll no longer look at it as a quirky habit but as behavior with a purpose،" says Amanda Bennett، M.D.، a developmental pediatrician at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Sucking on things

"Kids who gravitate toward mouthing، chewing، and sucking may be doing so because their mouth is somewhat undersensitive،" says Biel. In other words، your shirt sucker may have decreased oral sensory sensitivity and require more in-the-mouth input to satisfy that need. "For these kids، it's likely that this mouthing behavior releases feel-good، soothing neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine، which help them feel calm، less bored، and more engaged،" explains Biel.

Mouthers are often the same kids who drooled past babyhood، experienced a speech delay، or are messy eaters، says Biel. "They often have trouble mastering precise movements of their lips and mouth because they simply don't process those tactile sensations as well as other children."

While these behaviors are generally harmless، you'll want to brainstorm and redirect if your child's chewie du jour is a germ fest، a choking hazard، or otherwise harmful. For instance، if thumb or finger sucking continues beyond age 2 to 4، it can affect the shape of a child's mouth or cause an ortho issue like an overbite، according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

"When I spot my own 10-year-old daughter chewing a necklace or a pen cap mindlessly while watching TV، I try to remember to hand her a piece of gum—not snap at her to stop،" says Dr. Bennett. "Gum fulfills the same oral need، which is probably why many progressive schools now allow kids to chew gum in class."

Gum chewing is a safe alternative for the over-4 set، and، according to research، the act increases alertness and enhances cognition.2