2 1/2 Year Old Daughter with an Oral Fixation?

Have you discussed this with her pediatrician?
Have her tested regarding levels of various metals in her blood.
Lead? Iron?

Don't let her have access to paper unless you are supervising.
About crayons . . . I used to chew on crayons but not eat entire crayons.
Just would nibble on the ends. Some colors tasted better than others.

Consider offering her raw carrots (or jicama, broccoli, etc.)
when she wants to chew on something.
Also, perhaps, ice chips.

Good luck.

I honestly think it is natural. Some kids really like the different textures in their mouth. My best friend ate paper up until she was in grade school! If you have talked to the pediatrician and he isn't concerned, just keep an eye on her so she doesn't eat something that will make her sick or choke and she will be fine.

It sounds like your child has Pica; she has a compulsion to eat these strange things because she is deficient in some mineral or vitamin in her diet (it often happens to pregnant women too). Please take her to see her Dr. and explain your concerns, her blood should be tested to look for anemia and/or other deficiencies.

My daughter is the exact same age, and she still does this - it drives me mad! she will eat a whole crayon without blinking, and puts marbles and coins in her mouth, and anything she finds.
I just basically have to make sure there is nothing she can fit in her mouth - I really think she will grow out of it though, it does not seem to be a taste thing - just she likes the feel of a full mouth!
you can buy kitty litter houses - that may be a good idea! and I have to always supervise during coloring...and every other activity - play doh always gets eaten!

You may want to have her iron levels checked and have her checked for PICA. Google it and read up on it. With PICA, the items they eat, gets worse.

Have you considered Pica?

She may have pica. It is a strong craving for non-food items. People with pica crave dirt, soap, paper, chalk, you name it. It is usually caused by an imbalance in some dietary component, such as zinc or iron. If that's the case, it can usually be cured or reduced by taking a suppliment. There are also behavioral therapies that can help the person respond more appropriately to their cravings. Since it can be a health concern (eating something toxic), you should take her to the doctor and have him test zinc and iron levels to make sure she isn't deficient, and hasn't picked up any toxins or weird bacteria from eating inapporpriate things. Statistics say that 10-20% of kids between 1 and 6 have some of these behaviors, so you're not alone! Good luck.

My children contanty put thing in their mouths, in fact my oldest son stilll sometimes sucks on his shirt collar, but they never ate things that were non-food items. There is a medical condition called Pica that involves eating things like paper, dirt, clay and numerous other non-food items, you might want to check into that. This seems like something to talk to the pediatrician about.