Do you worry about your child’s odd habits ? Kid quirks aren’t necessarily a sign of something bad. Most children go through quirky stages. Repetitive habits like sucking objects, squeezing somebody else’s arm, and rocking back and forth might actually help them regulate.
Many children that are more sensitive to their environment develop odd or repetitive behaviors like sucking, squeezing, poking, and sniffing. Sometimes, they take it too far – squeezing too hard, putting tiny rocks in their mouth despite endless reminders – and do these things longer or more often than we feel comfortable.
These quirks can embarrass, irritate and worry parents. That’s because when googling “quirks” and “weird child habits,” we land on websites about autism and social media groups where your child gets diagnosed with autism, sensory processing disorder, and anxiety.
While being aware of neurodivergence signs is helpful, some kids are just quirky.
Also, once you understand that their behavior has a purpose, you’ll no longer see it as an embarrassing or irritating habit that needs to disappear.
Before you continue, we thought you might like our Time for Adventure FREEBIE. This fun activity can encourage your child to step out of their comfort zone and try new things, which, in turn, can boost their self-confidence.
6 Types of Quirky Kids
1. Mouthers
Some kids suck on their clothes, chew when nervous, and put their fingers in their mouths when tired.
These children may like crunchy snacks and chewy candy and can be messy eaters.
These behaviors are generally harmless, but you may want to redirect them if the behavior becomes unsafe.
For instance, you can offer a piece of gum to a child who chews mindlessly on their sleeve. Gum is considered safe for kids over four years old.
Another option is to have mouth fidgets and offer one to your child (“I can see that you are tired and are bringing your fingers to your mouth. Would you like your chew necklace?”)
2. Close-talkers
Do you know those kids who talk too close to your face and make you uncomfortable?
Some children take longer to learn to be aware of their body position in space. When they’re also curious or excited, they might forget all that you’ve taught them about the concept of personal space.
These children may play roughly with siblings without meaning to bump into things and unintentionally break objects. Their favorite activities may include roughhousing and slamming their bodies into bean bags.
3. Sniffers
Does your child smell their teddy bear or your T-shirt when tired or upset? If yes, then you may have a sniffer.
Some adults and children like to smell things to check if they’re okay, clean, safe, or simply because it makes them feel good. For instance, many people sniff fresh clothes, new food, their favorite blanket, or a new book.
The smell is the sensory system that connects directly with the limbic system, the brain’s emotion, memory, and pleasure center. So, it’s about association. For example, you feel good when visiting your childhood home and smelling your mom’s pie. Likewise, little ones enjoy smelling things that bring back comforting memories.
If you have a sniffer, they might enjoy scented playdough, scented crayons, and playing with herbs such as mint, lavender, and cinnamon (you can mix the spices and herbs with rice in a sensory box, or you can have a smell jar).
A sniffer might also need to carry a favorite toy everywhere to feel safe.
4. Spinners
A toddler who rocks themselves to sleep may become a kid who likes to spin in circles when overwhelmed. They may also love swinging, bouncing, and taking risks on the playground. That’s because their nervous system needs more balance and motion activities.
Some kids are highly agile and coordinated, so they may turn to sports that offer them the sensory input they crave. You may find that they’re into gymnastics, skateboarding, mountain biking, and other sports that require lots of coordination.
The problem is that some spinners don’t stop moving until they go into sensory overload. So, it helps to look for the first signs of overwhelm. You may want to encourage the child to switch directions if they’re spinning or stop for a few minutes. It’s also great to have sensory toys like a hobby horse and trampolines.
Related: How To Calm an Overstimulated HSC Who Has Trouble Sitting Still
5. Fidgeters
Some children, especially when anxious or tired, like to feel, squeeze, poke, and touch objects and people within reach. Fidgeters may also be the ones who can’t sleep alone in their bed at night because they feel the need for physical closeness.
They may have been the babies that woke up whenever you tried to leave the room and who liked to sleep with one hand on your boobs.
Their brains release more oxytocin, the feel-good hormone when they touch things with their hands and fingers. That’s why it helps to have a small sensory box with fidget toys from which your child can choose when they feel nervous.
Related: Heavy Work Activities for Kids
6. The Quiet Ones
The five categories above – Mouthers, Close-Talkers, Sniffers, Spinners, and Fidgeters are sensory seekers. That is because they need sensory input to regulate.
But there’s also another type of quirky child, the Quiet Ones. Their environment more easily stimulates the Quiet Ones. They process things more deeply and notice more details than others. They are also more empathetic and compassionate. These are highly sensitive children, a term coined by Dr. Elaine Aron. Highly sensitive children are usually slow to warm up, so many label them “shy” or “quiet.”
For an outsider, they may seem quirky partly due to their sensory avoidance – which is a direct consequence of noticing and processing so much information. For instance, a highly sensitive child may feel uncomfortable in amusement parks because of the noise and lights and hate chocolate bars (too chewy) and jello pudding (too slimy). They are also slow to warm up in new settings and with new people, so they are often labeled as “shy” or “withdrawn.”
Heightened sensitivity is something innate, not a passing childhood quirk. So your child will be highly sensitive for the entire life. Fortunately, it is a neutral character trait that 1 in 3 people have, and highly sensitive kids have many gifts.
When You Need to Worry about Kid Quirks
Quirky stages are a normal part of childhood because children’s brains are still developing. Moreover, children develop unevenly and at different speeds.
It’s time to start worrying when you feel that your child misses out on opportunities because of their behavior. If your child’s habits interfere with daily life, then it’s time to ask for medical help. For example, you may want an OT evaluation when your child refuses to go with the school bus because of the noise.
Quirky kids usually find a way to cope, whereas children with sensory processing disorder can’t regulate themselves and need accommodations.
A Take-Home Message
We often try to stop our children from acting quirky because we fear judgment. It’s normal to want our children to fit in, but it also helps to learn when to let it go. So, unless your child’s strange habits interfere with daily functioning, let them express themselves. Be sure that other kids have quirks, too.
Sometimes, quirky children become quirky adults. What matters most is for kids to value what makes them unique when they are old enough to realize they’re different. How they feel early on about their quirks can determine whether they’ll love or resent who they are.
