Chewing is a commonly observed behaviour that is prevalent among children. Between the ages of 18 and 24 months, it is normal for babies to explore objects by putting them in their mouths and chewing on them. As children develop typically, this behaviour usually decreases and eventually stops. However, there are cases where children continue to chew even after the age of 2. This continued chewing is often a result of seeking additional proprioceptive input, which involves sensory information received by our muscles and joints. The act of chewing provides significant proprioceptive feedback to the brain and can have a calming and organising effect.
If your child exhibits a preference for chewing, here are some tips for parents to consider:
