This is self-soothing mechanisms. He might not even be stressed when he does this for pleasure. It's harmless.

I did stuff like this and I’m fine.

Mine did it and it was related to being low on iron, which can cause pica.

My DS did this for about a year in 1st grade. He bit right through one of his shirts once! He's 14 now (reasonably well-adjusted, I think?) and doesn't do it anymore, FWIW.

Sometimes kids (and adults) need a bit more movement or proprioceptive input to focus

My kid was doing this to his shirts and also twisting them with his hands. He only did it for a few months and seemed to grow out of it. I don’t know if it was anxiety or what.

Sensory issues?

Anonymous wrote:I did that! I grew out of it eventually.

I still do this in my 30s and can't break the habit. Ruined many shirts. There are many habits like this that I have that I hope hope hope my kids never develop. (Likely a mix of anxiety and ADHD partially at root cause, and a good chance I pass both of those along as well)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did that! I grew out of it eventually.

Did you have anxiety?

No. I had/have some sensory issues, which I think is why I did it, but it was worse when I was concentrating.

Anonymous wrote:I did that! I grew out of it eventually.

Did you have anxiety?

Anonymous wrote:Yes. My DD did this. And later I realized it was anxiety and wish we had known sooner. She is in her 20s now and in college but it took us a few teen years sorting it out. All the best.

Yes, this was our DC too. We realized it was a real issue in 3rd grade and worked with a therapist to get to the root of the problem. DC’s now 17 and doing well, but it takes management.

Anonymous wrote:Yes. My DD did this. And later I realized it was anxiety and wish we had known sooner. She is in her 20s now and in college but it took us a few teen years sorting it out. All the best.

This is what I worry about! That there is something else that I should be doing, but I also don’t want to create issues either. Such a hard balance as a parent.

I did that! I grew out of it eventually.

Yes. My DD did this. And later I realized it was anxiety and wish we had known sooner. She is in her 20s now and in college but it took us a few teen years sorting it out. All the best.

Our son bit the end of his sleeve for a few months during K when he was concentrating on things. He seemed to grow out of it and I didn’t think anything of it. He just started doing it again in First with the collar of his t shirts! It doesn’t seem to be that big of a deal other than he is ruining every shirt he owns. I don’t want to make a big deal of nothing, but should I be doing anything about this?