Joanna Fortune: How can I get my six-year-old to stop picking his nose? 

Always focus on what you want to see rather than what you don’t.

Nose picking is one of the most common habits parents ask me about.

My six-year-old son constantly picks his nose. I’ve told him it’s unhygienic and rude, but he says he can’t stop. Should I ignore it in the hope he grows out of the habit?

Nose picking is one of the most common habits parents ask me about. It can start for practical reasons such as allergies, or having a cold or stuffed nose, so always begin by addressing possible physical causes.