Biters - Why they do it and what to do about it Although biting isn't "abnormal" in the sense that one out of ten toddlers and two-year-olds does it, it is a disturbing and potentially harmful behavior that parents and educators must discourage from the very first episode. If a child bites, remain calm and think about what the child experienced just before the incident. Understanding why young children bite can help you deter this aggressive behavior and teach them positive ways to handle their feelings.
Biting Hurts!-What To Do Summary: Biting is quite common among young children. It happens for different reasons with different children and under different circumstances. The first step in learning to control it is to look at why it may be happening.
Biting in the Child Care Setting Biting causes more upset feelings than any other behavior in child care programs. Because it seems so primitive, we tend to react differently to biting than we do to hitting, grabbing or other aggressive acts. It is upsetting and potentially dangerous; it is important for caregivers and parents to address this behavior when it occurs.
Biting Must Never Be Permitted We teach children not to hurt others. Youngsters must therefore learn that hitting, slapping, pinching, scratching, biting, shoving, knocking down and hair pulling are totally unacceptable. Of all these childhood behaviors, however, biting seems to cause parents the most problems.
Children And Biting It is distressing for all concerned when a toddler starts to bite other children. This behaviour often worries people more than other, as yet, unlearnt social behaviours, such as pushing, taking things from others, and hitting out.
How to deal with a biting child Biting is an aggressive behavior that alarms a lot of parents and childcare providers, as well as frightening the child who is bitten and his parents. Children will bite most frequently between the ages of 1yr and 3yrs. Biting is a very common occurrence in a childcare setting, or any time children gather in a group.
My Child Keeps Biting First, tell children that it is okay to feel angry, but it is never acceptable to hurt others or themselves. Offer acceptable alternatives for releasing the physical energy. If the child bites, provide something acceptable to bite (a rubber object or blanket). If the child pushes or hits, suggest he stomp his feet.