Nervous tic in a 3 year old

[melpomene]

My dd1 is 3.3 and has recently developed a nervous tic: blinking both her eyes. She seems to do it when she feels nervous.

Has anyone else experienced this? Any tips on how to overcome it?

[sunnydelight]

My seven year old has started doing this recently and it's driving me nuts, I know it's only cosmetic but it does make him look very odd. I have taken him to the optician to check it's nothing physical and she says it's become a habit. I have tried ignoring it but he's doing it more and more so now I point it out to him (not nastily, but to try and make him aware of it) every time I see him do it. The optician did suggest "artificial tears" eyedrops which she said would help if his eyes were feeling a bit dry and itchy - common in this weather. No tips as how to stop it unfortunately - am hoping someone wiser will come along!!!!

[melpomene]

I think in my dd's case it's stress rather than dry eyes or any physical cause, because it seems to happen when she feels 'put on the spot', eg if someone asks her a question and she doesn't know the answer.

[melpomene]

bump

[justmummy]

My dd did this at about the same age - blinking and squinting her eyes when stressed. Had forgotten all about it until i read this. We just used to gently remind her not to do this but without making too big a thing of it. It just stopped - can't remember when. Hopefully your dd will stop as well.