One thing that I will never understand my children is the pencil-chewing habit. Why? Why?!
I never chewed pencils as a kid. Never. I chewed straws, but never pencils.
I so wanted to buy some nice, beautiful pencils to start this school year, but alas, there is no way my patience will be able to last if they chew some Ticonderogas.
The sight of these chewed-up pencils in my pencil jar was driving me crazy, so I asked Jeremy to cut off the tops with his mitre saw.
Much better. I’m not sure if this will keep them from chewing on them, but at least, temporarily, my pencil jar will look nice again.
Do you have a cure for pencil chewers? I think this might call for a visit to Mrs. Piggle Wiggle!
$1.99 for Pantry Essentials (gallon) at Safeway
I don’t see any responses to your question yet…Try painting the ends (not the erasers) with a nasty tasting nail-biter nail polish? Good luck! My husband still chews pens–yuck!
I was going to suggest the same thing as Kristine said. And I’m realizing mine don’t do that anymore. Hmmm…not sure when they quit.
OK, I just ordered some nasty-tasting nail polish last night – it had rave reviews on Amazon so I’ll let you know if it works for pencils! :)
It is probably due to stress taking tests. Something that helps with stress is zinc which can be found in pumpkin seeds. Give them a snack of those and you may see a difference. Also I think they may use zinc lead in the pencils which may be inspiring the nibbling.
Other trace minerals can also help – you can get them by using sea salt, or adding little seaweed flakes to food. If you add them to bread or tuna sandwiches they wont even notice.
I used to bite my nails too and finally was able to cure myself. Finger nails have silica in them so one way to stop is to eat more silica which is in cucumber skins, pickles, celery, and tomatoes.
Interesting! I’m pretty sure their issue isn’t stress from test-taking but I didn’t know about the zinc deficiency!
Here’s what an occupational therapist has to say about it: http://www.kidzworld.co.za/parentingarticles/does-your-child-chew-on-her-clothes-and-pencils.htm
hope that helps!