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Thumbs up!

Name: Thumbs up!
Availability: InStock
Author: Wanderly

Is your child ready to stop sucking their thumb? This story can guide them through what to expect during this "big kid" transition while focusing on replacement behaviors, celebrating the wins, and not getting discouraged when there's a setback.

Breaking a HabitSelf-ManagementYou Choose

About This Story

What your child will experience

Your child will follow a character who decides to stop sucking their thumb and learns to replace the habit with new comfort strategies. They'll name their own triggers, choose replacement behaviors (like a comfort item or sensory tool), pick a goal timeline, and select a reward. The story walks through early wins, a realistic setback, and eventually success—normalizing that habit change is gradual and nonlinear.

Why this approach helps

This story uses positive reinforcement and self-determination to support habit change. By letting your child choose their motivation, comfort strategy, and celebration, they build ownership and confidence. Naming setbacks as normal reduces shame and keeps momentum going. Research shows that replacement behaviors and small, tracked wins help young children shift habits more successfully than willpower alone.

What to notice as a parent

Pay attention to the triggers your child names and the comfort strategies they choose—these reveal what soothes them and when they need extra support; you might also want to help remind them of triggers. If they pick a reward that feels very distant, consider shorter milestones. Their response to the setback page can show you how they handle disappointment in real life, and may be a good moment for a gentle conversation about trying again.

Personalize This Story

Make this story truly special by adding these details:

✓Who will support the main character?
✓How many days of not thumb sucking will be considered a success?
✓What kind of reward or celebration will happen at the end?
✓Will the main character use a tool to help?

Story Questions

Questions your child may be asked while creating this story:

How does the main character feel about making this change?
What times or situations make the main character want to suck their thumb?
What will help the main character feel safe and comfortable instead of thumb sucking?
How does the support team help the main character celebrate their daily successes?

Loved by Families

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— Taryn S

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“As an lifelong educator, I give this app an enthusiastic 5 stars+. With opportunity to choose and name characters, type of story and plot ... what could be more creative? What could be a more productive use of screen time? I love that this app was created and is carefully monitored by a Mom of young kids. She also happens to have technical/AI chops ... she was a Google Product Manager in their Education Products sector. The graphics are quite lovely, the story lines are fun and age-appropriate.”

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