Should DD be punished by the school for a habit of chewing things?

[Sisel]

So... I get to my DDs school earlier as was greeted my the deputy head asking if she could have a word. She then proceeded to tell me that my daughter had been in red Zone twice this week for chewing pencils when she’d been told not too.
For background so as not to drip feed:
My DD is nearly 6. She had no disabilities or behavioural issues and I’ve never had any concerns. She has however, always had a habit of chewing things that’s she hasn’t yet grown out of.
A few months ago, the class TA pulled my husband aside and said to him that strictly parent to parent the school was getting through loads of stationary as my daughter kept chewing on it and could we buy her a chew necklace to keep in school as she could chew on that instead of on the stationary. We obliged and bought her the necklace which she keeps in school.
Today, when the deputy head spoke to me I said “I understand you have to deal with bad behaviour but I really don’t consider this issue a behavioural issue and don’t think it should be linked to discipline as she’s not subconsciously doing it” she said “I see where your coming from but the chew necklace you got DD she’s now now saying hurts the back of her gums so she is reluctant to use it” then I said “can I get back to you as we are in a rush to get to swimming lessons” and that’s how I’ve left it.
When I got home I spoke to my husband and he said he’s glad I had the presence of mind to question them and that I should speak to them and say that we are happy to provide anything to aid her with the chewing habit so schools property isn’t damaged but that we don’t want her punished for chewing.
I did a bit of research and it seems to suggest that chewing of this nature is subconscious and it’s a way of them controlling anxiety amongst other things. I’m also wondering if the chew necklace is making her feel like she stands out as different to the other children.
My daughter was upset this evening as she’s already missed one break time this week for chewing, where she had to sit inside at break and think about her actions and now she has to miss another one tomorrow.
To add, I did check with the deputy and she said her being in red was purely to do with chewing and no other bad behaviour.
So....what do I do? How do I tackle it with the school? I’m anxious to maintain a good relationship with them but also mindful that my daughter is dealt with fairly.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thank you

I hope it's all working out for you and your daughter. We paid for a private OT to look into sensory processing disorder and although it was expensive (in the hundreds) it was well worth the money for our particular situation. But if your DD's situation is just limited to chewing and you have the school on side and you can inform yourself about sensory issues, it may work out fine to wait to see someone through the NHS. Good luck with it all and don't worry about those who are quick to judge a child and mother without knowledge of SPD. You know you are good mum looking to do the best by your lovely girl. x

I'm also really upset by the intolerant people on here. I agree that the chewing isn't very "nice" but it does sound like a sensory thing.
My DS1 is 10 and a chewer, especially clothes. We did buy him chewellery but it's hasn't really worked.
He has pretty severe dyspraxia and anxiety.

www.facebook.com/chewigem/
I would highly recommend this site. My son is 3 and since moving to the preschool room at Nursery has developed the need to chew. He was chewing on his fingers to the pint they were bleeding. He has no other special needs other than this.
I've got him 2 chew necklaces which worked for a bit but seem to have lost their appeal so I've joined the Chewigem support group who have been amazing at suggesting other things to do.
As for punishing her this concerns me hugely and is likely to make the problem so much worse.

wee ds is a clothes chewer, I have got some muslin clothes now which I encourage when he starts as at least that means clothes aren’t getting soaked/ruined

My daughter was a 'chewer' - pens, sleeves, etc., it's not as easy as saying 'just tell her to stop' is it?
She was also a thumb sucker.
Doesn't do any of those things now, at the age of 19 although I did catch her nibbling at her sleeve the other week...

I’ve got a chewer the same age. I got him some of his own pencils and got some chew ends for them. It has helped massively. We used these.

Chewbuddy Pencil Toppers - set of 4 www.amazon.com/dp/B00R1BO6IS?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf&tag=mumsnetforum-21

so.... I’ve had a bit of a poll of friends and family just to see the general consensus and it seems chewing is a really really common thing, especially in kids.
Everyone agreed it was a major over reaction from the school and I was right to stand up for DD but, as DH pointed out we aren’t in the classroom or we aren’t a fly on the wall. Prehaps she was pushing some boundaries in other areas and the chewing was the straw that broke the camels back, knowing DD although she’s generally well behaved she can have a naughty streak when the mood takes her especially if she’s feeling a bit bored in class.
Anyway, the school has agreed to no consequences for chewing so she won’t be penalised in future.
No doubt we will be onto the next saga soon. Parenthood is relentless eh, amazingly rewarding but definitely challenging.
Thanks to all those who helped me through this.

Glad you have a Solution and that she isn’t being punished which did sound bonkers!!

Couldn’t understand the posts saying chewing is gross. Wouldn’t bother me at all!!

Thank you Once.
I do point it out to her when I see her doing it. I just remembered something, there must have been loads of us in my primary school that used to chew our hair, because I distinctly remember being told that we’d get a hair ball in our stomachs if we all carried on. I don’t even know if that’s even true but the thought scared the life out of me 🙈 I also remember people having ink cartridges explode in their mouths from fountain pen cartridges. Oh and people have soggy sleeves from chewing our school sweatshirts.
So kids have definitely being chewing in class in big numbers since at least the 1980s when I was at primary 🙈

I remember seeing chewed pencils in the classroom when I was at school early 80s and seeing kids sucking thumbs, hair and jumpers.

So I say big deal!!

Gentle reminding/redirection great and hopefully that will in time reduce/stop it.

Slow hand clap to those posters who had nothing more constructive to say than "eww, it's gross and you need to sort it out".

DS is 7 and a stationary chewer. He's awaiting assessment for ASD and fortunately his school are helpful and supportive; providing chewy pencil toppers etc. Punishing a child for it is bonkers.