The nurse is talking with a mother who is concerned that a school-age child is experiencing stress ...

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Feedback:
Many first-graders are capable of mature action at school but appear less mature when they return home. They may bite their fingernails. Scolding, nagging, threatening, or punishing does not stop nail biting and may make the problem worse. This behavior will stop when the underlying stress is discovered and alleviated. The mother should be encouraged to spend some time with a child after school or in the evening so the child continues to feel secured in the family and does not feel pushed out by being sent to school. Drinking milk will not help alleviate the child's stress. Using rewards or teaching new skills will not relieve the child's stress.