Causes and Solutions for Children Who Bite

Biting is a typical behavior often seen in infants, toddlers, and 2-year old children. Children bite for many reasons some of them are...

• To relieve the pain

• Get attention

• Self defense

• Oral stimulation

• To express feelings of frustration

Suggestion on things to do to prevent biting...

• Provide items for biting such as, teething rings

• Provide multiple toys to avoid frustration

• Understand child development so that you will have age appropriate expectations

• Give the child language to express his/her emotions

• Provide opportunities for relaxing activities such as, bubble play.

When a biting incident occurs...

• Remain calm

• Approach the incident quickly

• Acknowledge both children in the incident

• Give children opportunity to express their emotions (giving them language as needed)

• Reinforce positive behaviors by acknowledging children's appropriate with words and actions