Most of the time, these nervous habits are too trivial to merit a strategy beyond ignoring or at most, a quiet request. Start an argument about this non-problem and pretty soon you may have a real problem. As the line in the play, The Fantastics, says, “They did it because we said ‘No.’”

Annoying habits that expand above your tolerance threshold usually begin as a less frequent event. A behavior that started as just restlessness becomes a gimmick for attention. Then, once our little fidgeter has discovered the effect, the fidgeting can become a way to express exasperation with parents. "Getting through to" parents may be entertaining for a child even if he also gets angry about the reprimands.

An occasional correction or request to stop the annoying habit might be useful if Mom and Dad’s emotional reactions can be kept out of it.

Fidgeting Fred has been banging his foot on the chair leg at dinner for several minutes.
Mom: (speaking quietly) "Fred, stop kicking your chair—it's a bother when we're eating."
Fred: "I can't help it."
Mom: (Still in a very quiet tone.) "Well, if you can't help it, you'll have to eat in your little chair with your feet on the floor. Did you finish your picture before dinner?"
Fred: (Still kicking the chair) "Yes, it's an airplane."
Mom: "An airplane. I'd like to see it after we're finished. Please don't kick."
Fred: "I told you I can't help it."
Mom: (Still very calmly) "If you continue, you'll have to be in your little chair. That's one." (The count-out begins).

Mom’s redirection of Fred's focus to his picture will have to become a regular part of Mom's habits before the chair-kicking starts. If Mom comes up with these interests only when Fred acts up, you can see where that will lead.

Fred deserves his place in the conversation. Not just childish topics centered on him, but in the adult conversation with explanations and questions from Mom and Dad just as they would treat any guest at their table. Even occasional reprimands may serve to encourage Fred because they keep his parents from going off into adult conversations that leave him out.

There’s nothing more dangerous than a human being with nothing to do. Especially if he is a child. How should Fred fill his time? How should he fill his mind when ignored? Sometimes almost anything will do.