How do I stop my child from chewing on his shirt?

Well to be honest you constantly BUGGING him about stopping it is probably making it worse or at the very least continue it. Try a different tactic - instead of taking his shirts.... just IGNORE IT... you'll have to be patient but over time I think this will STOP on its own. Is it honestly hurting anything? It's probably just a nervous habit like sucking a thumb or twirling hair or biting nails and usually those things STOP with maturity. I would try NOT SAYING ONE WORD TO HIM when he does this. I might offer him something ELSE to do with his hands and mouth instead - something low calorie and/or healthy but don't mention the shirt. Don't buy him any new shirts and just let him RUIN these for a while until he stops the chewing or grows out of them. Either other kids will peer pressure him into stopping on his own or he'll just grow out of it.

I honestly think the more attention you draw to it - the worse it will become.

I am a 19 year old that is only just now breaking the chewing habit. :P For me it's a nervous thing-- make sure he doesn't grind his teeth too, THAT gets expensive! As well as everything you're doing, I would also try making sure he's occupied with something when he starts to chew. You're not going to like this example, but dogs chew when they're bored (I'm a trainer, cut me some slack :P), and often making sure they're stimulated enough keeps them from doing it. I would bet your son chews most when he's watching tv or a similar *sit and think* task like reading, and not so much when he's up and running around? Try engaging him in something else when you catch him chewing.

I agree that you should give him some sugar free gum to keep his jaw busy. Also get a dollars worth of coins and put them in his pocket. Tell him if he doesn't chew on his shirt all day than he can have the money. The jingling of the coins will help him to remember. Every time you catch him chewing, take 10 cents out of his pocket. Not the whole dollar or else he will become discouraged.

I hope this helps.

I am going to propose that you cannot stop the chewing behavior (both of my boys did this) so provide a substitute item to chew, even an old cut up t shirt. You can also give rewards for days when the shirt was not chewed, which should encourage the behavior you are looking for.

Maybe he just needs something to chew on?

At least he isn't sucking on his hair, chewing on his pencils/pens, or chewing his finger nails

Buy him gum, that will keep his jaw busy

Kids will chew into their teen years. This is due to the teeth moving. All you can do is tell him to stop.