Publisher's Synopsis
Nail biting may appear to be a harmless habit of childhood, but underneath this seemingly benign behavior exist a tangle of emotional signals, coping mechanisms, and psychological elements that many parents do not recognize. "Onychophagia in Children" is more than a guide; it is a compassionate, research-informed guide into the complex world of childhood anxiety and its physical indicators.
Merging science with compassion, this guide examines the origins of onychophagia, including genetic factors, environmental influences, and even the subtle clues that may be communicated through the obsessive behavior of nail biting. This is not simply to help stop the behavior, but to help you understand the behavior, including the emotional underpinnings, and to consider our communication with our children through a lens of empathy rather than irritation.
Onychophagia in Children is intended for parents, teachers, and all caregivers. The guide offers accessible and pragmatic strategies based on compelling research within a compassionate framework. Understand the behaviors, learn communication strategies, and gain support methods to cultivate resilience without shaming or punishing the child.
These pages will not offer shortcuts or cliches. They will, instead, provide a sincere and serious contemplation of a habit that, if left unattended, may well follow children through their adult lives. More importantly, there is hope. Not wishful thinking. Hope that comes from knowledge. Hope that comes from connection. Hope that starts with awareness and ends with healing.
