CHILDREN WHO BITE

Generally children bite between the ages of mobile infancy to 3 years. When disciplining a child for biting, the more you understand why children bite, the more efficient your actions will be. Usually there are 5 main reasons for a child to bite another child or adult.

Reason 1

They may be wanting attention and sometimes for a child who does not get as much positive attention as he or she needs (whether at home or at the daycare), even getting negative attention by biting another child is better than nothing.

Precautions: In this situation, obviously the child needs more positive attention. Sometimes even just a few extra minutes of one-on-one time with the child (letting him or her sit in your lap while you read a story, letting them be a special helper for the day or just holding or talking to them), every day can make a big difference in his or her behavior.

Reason 2

Toddlers are not good at being crowded or sharing their personal space with other toddlers or children. They may bite just to get another child away or gain personal space.

Precautions: Make sure that the children have enough room so that they do not have to be crowded. It is also a good idea to have a quiet area where one or just a few of the children can go to relax. This area should be as far away and as sheltered as possible from the noise and activities of the other children.

Reason 3

They will also bite to communicate. Very young children who cannot say things like "no" or "stop it" will bite out of anger towards another child or adult.

Precautions: Keep a close eye on any child who appears to be getting angry and diffuse the situation before a child has a chance to bite (for example, Vicki sees that Jodi has a car that she really wants, Vicki decides to take it away but Jodi doesn't want to give it up. They start a tug of war with the car. At this point there is a potential for Jodi to bite Vicki). No matter how young a child is, if he or she is biting or going to bite, you should explain to them how to use their words to get what they want, "Jodi, use your words. Tell Vicki no, this is my car. You don't have to bite her." Right after the child has bitten someone, firmly and quickly explain to them that they hurt that child and that biting is wrong. If it is a consistent problem, you may consider using a "time out" for the child who has bitten. Immediately focus on the other child who was injured, to comfort them and take care of any possible wounds or bruises. At that point the situation should be considered finished except that we then consider why the child bit and what precautions we need to take to prevent it from happening again. This may have to happen several times for the bitter to stop.

Reason 4

In the mouth.... is usually where everything an infant is trying to explore goes first! This is because an infant's mouth is the best sensory area they have. It tells them much more about something than their fingers and other sensory tools. Hence the need to sometimes bite.

Precaution: Sometimes infants need to be separated and given individual space or distracted for a while. Place the infant who is biting away from the person who he/she is trying to bite or try to distract the child with something else, such as a toy.

Reason 5

Young children who are teething will bite simply to make the teething process easier or less painful.

Precaution: Give the child a teething ring or a toy which is designed to be safe in a child's mouth and can be easily sanitized.