When A Child Bites...
(A Note to Parents)
Biting occasionally happens in child care settings in which infants and toddlers are enrolled. Biting is a common developmental behavior for children ages 18-26 months of age. There are several reasons a child may bite. These reasons include:
- Young children explore by placing objects in their mouths. Sometimes children "accidentally" bite other children in this process. It is common for the "biter" to look shocked at the bitten child's behavior.
- Young children do not have verbal skills to express themselves. Biting is a very powerful release of frustration. Most biting deceases by age three when the child has acquired better verbal skills.
- Biting often results form frustration. Toddlerhood is frustrating as toddlers learn new physical and social skills.
- Children may be teething.
- Children may be hungry or tired.
Biting Prevention During Child Care
- Planned activities that allow children to release frustration.
- Age appropriate toys available that stimulate interest and decrease
frustration and/or boredom.
- Provide biting substitutes such as teethers, wet washcloths, etc.
- Adult Supervision
When Biting Occurs
- The biting child is calmly removed and given "quiet time" alone.
Statements such as "You do not bite. It hurts." or "Biting is not allowed.
It hurts people." are used.
- The bitten child is consoled and the bite is quickly cleaned. Ice is placed
on the bite to decrease the likelihood of swelling or bruising.
- The child who has bitten is "shadowed" to help understand what may be
causing the child to bite so that further incidents can be prevented.
Things We Will Not Do:
- Bite the child back.
- Encourage the other child to bite the child back.
- Call the child names such as "bad", "naughty".
- Tell other parents who did the biting.
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