how do i stop a child from chewing on stuff?

Look into sensory perception problems, My son has it he is also 8 and has very few shirts with the neck line still properly shaped. Things that help are, sour popciles, a double wad of bubble gum put in the fridge for a hour or so before giving it to your daughter, sour candy a lot of times can help, I've also heard crunchy and hard things can some times help. Chewy tubes can do the trick at home some times it won't stop the chewing but these things can reduce the amount of it she's doing. here is a link to some oral chewing devices that are used in OT therapy if you want someone to tell you weather or not she has issues with sensory processing you can talk to a pediatric occupational therapist. http://www.therapyshoppe.com/product.php?cat=14

Hope it helps

How frustrating and perplexing this must be for you as a parent. Have you tried asking her why she does this? If her answer does not satisfy you I suggest you take her to a physician and have her checked out for a physical problem. If all is well, then ask your physician about a disease by the name if Pica. This is a real disorder.

In the meantime, try offering sugar - free gum in place of the wood. She might be stressed about something and have a literal urge to chew as a way to relieve the stress. Offering colors, plain paper and fun pens and pencils is another idea and ask her to draw or write what she is feeling, sharing with you if she so chooses.

Good luck!

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A friend recommened it to me a few years ago, and I was amazed how quickly it worked, which is why I recommend it to others. The dog training academy also has as an excellent home training course.

Although I have never birthed a child, I have cared for quite a few. I have given my younger cousins baby blankets, pacifiers, and even pieces of sterilized swimming pool "noodles."

These are what I am suggesting, although every child is different, and yes you are doing the right thing by seeking out help from ordinary people on Y! Answers, and from a medical professional as well.

Why no counseling? What if something is bothering her? What if she has an undiagnosed emotional or mental disorder?

Perhaps she has PICA? http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/nutriti...

Anyway there is a good site out there for children with oral motor issues. They sell products like these http://www.superduperinc.com/O_Pages/om413_414.htm

Some of the stuff she is chewing is really dangerous. Please get her help from a professional.

i'm in college psychology and there are actually cases where children act out in ways that cant be explained. a lot of times their behavior as nothing to do with any disorder they may have or anything like that. i'm not saying your daughter has a disorder, but maybe having her checked out by a pediatrician or a neurologist could target the problem if there is one.

have you tried sitting her down and asking her why she does it? or punishing her? try putting the bitter tasting spray on the furniture so she wont bite it

i hope this helps? good luck

If you are serious about this, then she does have a problem, and you do need to consult her pediatrician. Whether or not that's the answer you wanted, that is the only way you'll get to the bottom of this. This is absolutely not normal in any way.