<p>Is your child constantly sucking their thumb or fingers and you’re wondering if it’s sensory, habit, or something else? This episode comes straight from a parent question on Instagram, and we’re breaking it all down.</p><p>In this episode, you’ll learn:</p><ul><li><p>Why thumb and finger sucking is considered oral sensory seeking</p></li><li><p>When sucking is developmentally appropriate and when to look closer</p></li><li><p>Common reasons older kids continue sucking for regulation or anxiety</p></li><li><p>How to talk to your child about the habit in a supportive way</p></li><li><p>Practical sensory and oral motor replacements that actually help</p></li></ul><p>Thanks for listening 🩷 If this question hit close to home, share this episode with another parent who’s navigating thumb or finger sucking too.<br><br></p><p>We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - <a href="https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3"><u>https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3</u></a> </p><p>Z-Vibe </p><p><a href="https://www.arktherapeutic.com/arks-z-vibe-vibrating-oral-motor-tool/"><u>https://www.arktherapeutic.com/arks-z-vibe-vibrating-oral-motor-tool/</u></a> </p><p>Chew Tubes</p><p><a href="https://www.arktherapeutic.com/handheld-chews/"><u>https://www.arktherapeutic.com/handheld-chews/</u></a> </p><p>Chewlery</p><p><a href="https://www.arktherapeutic.com/chewelry/"><u>https://www.arktherapeutic.com/chewelry/</u></a> </p><p>5 Ways to Use Proprioception for Calming and Regulation</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHdCj8sWtV0"><u>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHdCj8sWtV0</u></a> </p><p>Top 10 Oral Motor Activities Every Parent Should Know</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEXEbyBX858&t=443s"><u>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEXEbyBX858&amp;t=443s</u></a> </p><p>Sensory Snacks Explained</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOswosl5pHg"><u>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOswosl5pHg</u></a> </p><p>All Things Sensory Ep. 376 - Oral Sensory Seeking in Kids</p><p><a href="https://harkla.co/blogs/podcast/376-oral-sensory-seeking-in-kids-what-you-need-to-know-how-to-help?_pos=1&_sid=e5d4343f0&_ss=r"><u>https://harkla.co/blogs/podcast/376-oral-sensory-seeking-in-kids-what-you-need-to-know-how-to-help</u></a><br></p><p>All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram </p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/"><u>https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/</u></a> </p><p>Harkla Website </p><p><a href="https://harkla.co/"><u>https://harkla.co/</u></a> </p><p>Harkla YouTube</p><p>​​<a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily"><u>https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily</u></a> </p><p>Harkla Instagram</p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/"><u>https://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/</u></a> </p><p>Harkla Digital Courses</p><p><a href="https://harkla.co/collections/courses"><u>https://harkla.co/collections/courses</u></a> </p>

All Things Sensory by Harkla

Rachel Harrington, COTA/L, AC & Jessica Hill, COTA/L

#394 - Is Thumb Sucking Sensory? What to Know (and What to Do)

JAN 7, 202616 MIN
All Things Sensory by Harkla

#394 - Is Thumb Sucking Sensory? What to Know (and What to Do)

JAN 7, 202616 MIN

Description

<p>Is your child constantly sucking their thumb or fingers and you’re wondering if it’s sensory, habit, or something else? This episode comes straight from a parent question on Instagram, and we’re breaking it all down.</p><p>In this episode, you’ll learn:</p><ul><li><p>Why thumb and finger sucking is considered oral sensory seeking</p></li><li><p>When sucking is developmentally appropriate and when to look closer</p></li><li><p>Common reasons older kids continue sucking for regulation or anxiety</p></li><li><p>How to talk to your child about the habit in a supportive way</p></li><li><p>Practical sensory and oral motor replacements that actually help</p></li></ul><p>Thanks for listening 🩷 If this question hit close to home, share this episode with another parent who’s navigating thumb or finger sucking too.<br><br></p><p>We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - <a href="https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3"><u>https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3</u></a> </p><p>Z-Vibe </p><p><a href="https://www.arktherapeutic.com/arks-z-vibe-vibrating-oral-motor-tool/"><u>https://www.arktherapeutic.com/arks-z-vibe-vibrating-oral-motor-tool/</u></a> </p><p>Chew Tubes</p><p><a href="https://www.arktherapeutic.com/handheld-chews/"><u>https://www.arktherapeutic.com/handheld-chews/</u></a> </p><p>Chewlery</p><p><a href="https://www.arktherapeutic.com/chewelry/"><u>https://www.arktherapeutic.com/chewelry/</u></a> </p><p>5 Ways to Use Proprioception for Calming and Regulation</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHdCj8sWtV0"><u>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHdCj8sWtV0</u></a> </p><p>Top 10 Oral Motor Activities Every Parent Should Know</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEXEbyBX858&t=443s"><u>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEXEbyBX858&amp;t=443s</u></a> </p><p>Sensory Snacks Explained</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOswosl5pHg"><u>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOswosl5pHg</u></a> </p><p>All Things Sensory Ep. 376 - Oral Sensory Seeking in Kids</p><p><a href="https://harkla.co/blogs/podcast/376-oral-sensory-seeking-in-kids-what-you-need-to-know-how-to-help?_pos=1&_sid=e5d4343f0&_ss=r"><u>https://harkla.co/blogs/podcast/376-oral-sensory-seeking-in-kids-what-you-need-to-know-how-to-help</u></a><br></p><p>All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram </p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/"><u>https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/</u></a> </p><p>Harkla Website </p><p><a href="https://harkla.co/"><u>https://harkla.co/</u></a> </p><p>Harkla YouTube</p><p>​​<a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily"><u>https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily</u></a> </p><p>Harkla Instagram</p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/"><u>https://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/</u></a> </p><p>Harkla Digital Courses</p><p><a href="https://harkla.co/collections/courses"><u>https://harkla.co/collections/courses</u></a> </p>