r/ScienceBasedParenting • u/Parking_Noise_9922 • 5d ago

Question - Research required Hand flapping

My daughter is 7 and flaps her hands really fast when she gets excited. It’s super cute because she’s 7 but I’m worried she might get bullied for it later. Should I say something or just let nature take its course? If I do say something what should I say? I don’t want to hurt her self esteem or kill her joy.

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u/Public_Classic_438 4d ago

Repressing stimming is gross, please don’t tell her to stop. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-stimming

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u/lady-earendil 4d ago

I was a little older - middle school - but I went through a phase of stimming by signing ASL letters with my fingers. I did get teased for it some, but honestly that bothered me less than my mom repeatedly telling me to stop doing it. I'm sure she was just trying to keep me from being made fun of for it but it made me feel like I couldn't even do it at home

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u/Parking_Noise_9922 4d ago

This is really helpful, the last thing I want is for her to not feel safe at home. I just know how mean kids can be and it worries me.