By Brian Evans – Founder of Chew Necklace UK
If your child is constantly chewing their sleeves, collars, hoodie cords or the neck of their favourite jumper, you may have found yourself asking the same question that many parents have asked me over the years:
“Why do they keep doing it?”
And perhaps just as importantly:
“How do I get them to stop?”
Having been involved with chewelry since 2014, I’ve had this conversation more times than I can count.
And the first thing I’d say is this:
Don’t assume they’re doing it to annoy you.
They’re probably not.
For many children, chewing can be a way of getting the sensory input their body is looking for. It can also become something they do when they’re concentrating, excited, worried, tired or overwhelmed.
The chewing itself may actually be helping them regulate.
So rather than simply trying to stop the behaviour, it can be much more useful to understand why they’re doing it in the first place.
Why Do Children Chew Their Clothes?
There isn’t one simple answer.
Every child is different, but over the years I’ve noticed some common patterns.
They may be looking for sensory input
Some children simply like the feeling of chewing.
The pressure and resistance can provide sensory feedback that they find calming or satisfying.
They may chew when concentrating
You might notice it particularly when they’re:
- Doing homework
- Watching television
- Reading
- Playing games
- Drawing
- Sitting in class
It can become almost automatic.
They may chew when they’re anxious or overwhelmed
For some children, chewing seems to become more noticeable during stressful situations.
New surroundings, busy classrooms, social situations or changes to routine can all potentially increase the need for sensory input.
They may simply prefer the texture
This one is easily overlooked.
Some children don’t want something hard.
They want something soft.
And if that’s what they like, a cotton or fabric chew product may be far more appealing than a firm silicone one.
So What Can You Try Instead?
This is where I think it’s important not to jump straight to buying something.
Start by watching.
For a couple of days, notice when the chewing happens.
Is it mainly at school?
Before bedtime?
When they’re concentrating?
When they’re anxious?
When they’re bored?
And perhaps most importantly:
What are they actually chewing?
If it’s always a soft jumper sleeve, that tells you something.
If it’s pencils and hard objects, that’s telling you something different.
If they’re constantly chewing their fingers, that’s another clue.
You don’t necessarily need to stop the behaviour immediately.
Try to understand it first.
Consider an Alternative They Can Chew
If chewing is something your child actively seeks, providing an appropriate chew product may give them an alternative to clothing or other unsuitable objects.
That’s essentially why chewelry exists.
A chew necklace can provide something specifically designed for chewing rather than allowing them to chew whatever happens to be within reach.
But there’s an important point here.
Don’t assume silicone is automatically the answer.
I’ve spoken to parents who have bought several silicone chew necklaces because that’s what they thought they were supposed to buy.
Their child wouldn’t use any of them.
Then they tried a fabric chew necklace.
Suddenly, they had something their child actually wanted to chew.
Sometimes the texture matters more than the strength.
What If They Won’t Wear a Necklace?
Don’t force it.
This is another mistake I see.
If your child doesn’t like anything around their neck, a necklace probably isn’t going to become their favourite sensory product just because you’ve bought a more expensive one.
There are alternatives.
A chew bracelet can be easier for some children to accept.
It’s discreet, easy to keep nearby and can be worn on the wrist rather than around the neck.
For some people, a fabric chew bracelet can also provide the softer texture they’re naturally seeking.
The right solution isn’t necessarily the most obvious one.
And What About School?
This is something worth discussing with school staff.
If your child is chewing their clothes throughout the school day, don’t simply assume it’s “bad behaviour”.
It may be worth talking to their teacher or SENCO about when the chewing happens and whether there are particular situations that trigger it.
A suitable chew product may be helpful for some children, but it should fit sensibly into the school’s approach and the child’s individual needs.
And remember that chewelry isn’t a treatment for anxiety, ADHD or autism.
It’s simply a sensory tool that some people find useful.
One Thing I Wouldn’t Do
I wouldn’t shame a child for chewing.
Telling them:
“Stop chewing your clothes.”
“You’re ruining another jumper.”
“That’s disgusting.”
probably isn’t going to address the reason they’re doing it.
If the chewing is meeting a sensory need, removing it without offering an appropriate alternative may simply result in another behaviour appearing.
Instead, I’d try:
“I know you like chewing your sleeve. Let’s see if we can find something else you like chewing.”
That changes the conversation completely.
After 11 Years, This Is What I’d Do
If you came to me and said:
“Brian, my child chews absolutely everything. What should I buy?”
I wouldn’t immediately recommend our most popular chew necklace.
I’d ask questions.
What do they chew?
How hard do they chew?
When do they chew?
Do they prefer soft or firm textures?
Do they like wearing things around their neck?
Is it mainly happening at home, school or everywhere?
Those answers are far more useful than simply knowing their age.
Because there isn’t one perfect chew necklace for every child.
Sometimes the Simple Solution Is the Right One
I’m a firm believer that we can sometimes make things more complicated than they need to be.
If your child loves chewing their soft cotton sleeve, perhaps what they need is something with a similar texture.
If they constantly chew when concentrating, perhaps they need an appropriate sensory tool available while they’re working.
And if the chewing seems connected to anxiety, frustration or sensory overload, perhaps the answer involves looking at the bigger picture, rather than simply buying another chew product.
Sometimes a chew necklace helps.
Sometimes a bracelet is better.
Sometimes fabric is better than silicone.
And sometimes chewelry isn’t the answer at all.
There’s nothing wrong with that.
💡 Brian’s Tip
Don’t choose a chew product based solely on how strong it is.
Before you buy anything, watch what your child naturally chooses to chew.
The texture they’re already seeking can give you a very good starting point when deciding what might work for them.
And remember—the best chew product isn’t necessarily the strongest one. It’s the one they’re comfortable using.
About Brian
I’m Brian Evans, founder of Chew Necklace UK.
Since 2014, I’ve been involved in supplying chewelry and sensory products to families across the UK. Over those years, I’ve answered thousands of questions from parents and carers and learned that there is rarely a simple “one size fits all” answer.
The advice I share in Brian’s Advice comes from that experience.
I don’t believe in miracle products or making exaggerated promises. I believe in good products, sensible advice and being honest about what chewelry can—and can’t—do.
You can explore our range of sensory chew products at Chew Necklace UK and Chewelry UK.