Why Young Children Bite
Although biting is fairly common in young children, it is often
worrisome to adults. A family member, playmate, or classmate at daycare or
preschool may be the one bitten. Biting can be painful and frightening
when it occurs. It upsets other children and often angers teachers and
other adults.
Biting is usually caused by one of four different factors:
- Experimental biting
Experimental biting is done by infants and toddlers as they explore
their world. They put everything in their mouths and sometimes bite
in the process. You can help decrease biting by telling them, "No
- biting hurts!" and being firm. Offer them things that they can
safely bite on such as teething rings.
- Frustration biting
Frustration biting happens when young children become frustrated and
unable to cope with a situation. Until they learn how to play cooperatively,
they may respond to the demands of other children by hitting or biting.
Some helpful guidelines for decreasing this type of biting include:
- Keep playtimes short and groups small.
- Supervise young children's play closely.
- If biting occurs, say, "No, don't bite. Biting hurts."
and remove your child from the situation right away. Stay with your
child and help him/her to calm down. Explore other, better ways
to handle the situation with your child, so he/she learns to handle
emotions differently next time.
- Powerless biting
Powerless biting occurs when a child is in need of feeling powerful.
Sometimes, the youngest child in the family uses biting to gain power.
To help prevent this type of biting:
- Make sure your child feels protected and is not always being "picked
on" by others.
- Explain the situation to bigger or older children and get their
help to make things more equal.
- If biting occurs, tell your child that he/she is not to bite and
remove him/her from the situation right away. Stay with your child
and help him/her to calm down. Explore other, better ways to handle
the situation with your child, so he/she learns to handle emotions
differently next time.
- Stressful biting
Stressful biting is done when a child is under a lot of emotional stress.
Biting may be a sign of distress or pain when the child is upset or
angry. If this occurs:
- Try to find out what is bothering your child. Watch for what happens
right before the biting occurs.
- Help your child to find other ways to express his/her feelings.
Let him/her know that biting is wrong and remove him/her from the
situation right away.
If your child bites, respond firmly, but calmly, to the biting. Let
your child know that you disapprove and remove him/her from the situation.
Help your child learn new ways to handle things. If your child bites
repeatedly, be sure to consult your child's physician or healthcare
provider about the problem.
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