Why do children bite and what can you do to prevent it?

Biting is a normal part of development for many young children, especially between the ages of 1 to 3. While it can be upsetting, it is usually a phase that passes as children grow and learn better ways to communicate.

For many toddlers, biting is just a passing phase. Toddlers try it out as a way to get what they want from another toddler. At that age, they are in the process of learning what is socially acceptable and what is not. Eventually, the behavior stops as they use language to express difficult feelings.

Did you know there are many types of biters?

There are different reasons children bite: some do it out of curiosity (Experimental Biter), others bite because they’re teething (Teething Biter), and some might bite to get attention (Attention-Seeking Biter). There are also kids who bite when they feel threatened (Threatened Biter) or — and this is most common — when they’re frustrated (Frustrated Biter).

What can you do to prevent biting and what should you do after it happens?

 When the environment is calm again, remind BOTH children involved that “Teeth are for eating, not for biting” and that instead they should say things like “No!” or “Mine!” The goal is to teach assertiveness and communication skills to both the child who bites and the child who gets bitten.

 If your child is biting, read books to them about biting every day until the behavior subsides, such as Teeth Are Not for Biting by Elizabeth Verdick, Little Dinos Don’t Bite by Michael Dahl, and No Biting by Karen Katz.

 Demonstrate patience with and understanding of the frustration the child is experiencing. Offer solutions like, “We have another red truck right over here. Let’s go get it.”

 Comfort the child who was bitten. Immediately remove the child who bit from others and allow them to watch as you comfort the child who was bitten. It is important to give immediate attention to the child who was bitten, and NOT the biter, right after the biting occurs.

 Provide comfort for the bitten child by saying something like, “I bet that hurt. You don’t like it when your friend bites your arm.”

 Calmly approach the child who bit. Many times, these children feel overwhelmed and afraid after they bite. Tell them, “Teeth are for eating, not for biting. Do you see how you hurt your friend?” Point out the other child’s emotional reaction to help foster understanding that it hurt the other child.

Biting may be a normal stage of development, but that doesn’t mean it is not frustrating. Thankfully with guidance and time, it will pass.

~ By Shannon Black,

Founder/Co-Owner, (Opening 6/2, pre-enrollment opens 4/1)

JARRELL MONTESSORI

Offering academic and loving care of children from infancy to 5 years old. Jarrell Montessori...Where Families Belong! JarrellMontessori.com • Director@JarrellMontessori.com