The majority of children quit sucking their thumb around three years old, but some continue this habit well into their elementary school years. Breaking a long-standing habit can be challenging, especially when your child spends most of their day at school where you cannot monitor them.

While teachers help care for our children in the classroom, they can’t always involve themselves in personal matters. Find out whether the school will support efforts to stop thumb sucking and help your child break the habit.

Schools and Thumb Sucking  

Most schools see thumb sucking as a habit better addressed outside the classroom since it’s considered a childhood behavior. Teachers may feel uncomfortable directly addressing what they see as a personal or family matter. However, if the child’s thumb sucking distracts the student or their classmates or interferes with their learning, teachers may ask parents for support in addressing the issue.

Essentially, the school is unlikely to directly focus on treating the behavior themselves since staff may feel like this is overstepping a boundary. This is not their child, so it can be a sensitive subject to approach.

How Schools May Help  

While schools don’t explicitly help in stopping thumb sucking, they can play a role in its management. Teachers and staff can monitor thumb-sucking behaviors discreetly and constructively.

For example, school faculty can observe patterns, such as when thumb sucking is most frequent, and notify parents about these developments. Early identification of triggers—like stress or fatigue—can inform strategies that help children reduce their reliance on the habit.  

Schools can also assist by creating a classroom environment that limits potential embarrassment or bullying related to thumb sucking. If one child sees another sucking their thumb, they may tease them, which can make it harder to end the habit as the child attributes shame to their habit; they may continue sucking their thumb but do so in secret.

Pro Tip

You can ask the school whether they’ll support efforts to stop thumb sucking. Depending on the reason for the behavior, administration may have counseling services that can help students.  

Prevention Starts at Home  

School is a place for your child to learn and grow, but the primary setting for addressing thumb sucking is at home. Parents can help their children understand why they suck their thumbs and support them in finding alternative coping mechanisms. Your child is more likely to feel comfortable addressing the issue with you rather than their teacher.

There are many ways to stop sucking thumb behaviors, and the AeroThumb is one of the best ways to break the habit for good. This glove easily slides over your child’s finger and will not restrict movement, so they can wear it while in school, doing homework, or attending activities.

If you have concerns about your child sucking their thumb in school, contact the administration to discuss strategies that may help. Teachers and staff are often understanding and willing to work with parents to support a child’s well-being.