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1.1: Biting Fact Sheet

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    40935
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    Biting Fact Sheet

    For Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers

    Biting is a common and sometimes challenging behavior in young children. While it can be frustrating for parents and caregivers, it is important to understand that biting is often a natural part of child development. With proper strategies, most children outgrow this phase.

     

    Why Do Children Bite?

    • Infants: Biting is often linked to teething and sensory exploration. Babies use their mouths to explore their environment.
    • Toddlers: Toddlers may bite out of frustration as they develop language and social skills, or as a way to seek attention.
    • Preschoolers: Biting becomes less common, but can still occur to express emotions like anger, stress, or difficulty sharing.

     

    Common Triggers and Contributing Factors

    • Teething: Sore gums make biting soothing.
    • Exploration: Babies explore textures and objects by mouthing or biting them.
    • Frustration and Anger: Toddlers may bite when words are unavailable to express feelings.
    • Overstimulation: Noisy or crowded environments may trigger biting.
    • Attention-Seeking: Some children bite to get a reaction from adults or peers.
    • Lack of Social Skills: Young children may not yet understand how their actions affect others.

     

    Prevention Strategies

    • Observe patterns and identify triggers.
    • Provide teething toys for infants.
    • Model language for expressing emotions, such as “I’m upset” or “I need help.”
    • Establish predictable routines to avoid overstimulation.
    • Supervise social interactions closely to intervene early.
    • Use positive reinforcement to encourage appropriate behaviors.

     

    How to Respond to Biting Incidents

    • Stay calm and neutral to avoid reinforcing the behavior.
    • Use clear language: “Biting hurts. We don’t bite.”
    • Redirect behavior by offering a teething toy or teaching words to express feelings.
    • Comfort the child who was bitten and acknowledge their feelings.
    • Teach empathy by explaining how biting affects others: “It made your friend sad.”
    • Document the incident and inform parents or caregivers as needed.

     

    Administering First Aid

    • Clean the Wound: Wash with soap and water if the skin is broken.
    • Apply a Cold Compress: Use an ice pack or cold cloth to reduce swelling.
    • Monitor for Infection: Look for redness, swelling, or fever and seek medical attention if needed.
    • Provide Comfort: Reassure the child who was bitten and help them feel safe.

     

    Strategies for Ongoing Biting Behaviors

    • Create a behavior plan with caregivers and teachers.
    • Log biting incidents to identify patterns and triggers.
    • Teach problem-solving skills to resolve conflicts peacefully.
    • Use visual aids like picture charts to reinforce positive behavior.
    • Seek professional help if biting becomes severe or persistent.

     

    When to Seek Additional Help

    • If biting becomes frequent and severe.
    • If the child does not outgrow biting by the preschool years.
    • If biting is associated with other concerning behaviors, such as aggression or anxiety.

     

    Resources for Parents and Caregivers

    • Provide access to books and articles on child behavior and development.
    • Encourage participation in parenting workshops or support groups.
    • Maintain open communication with caregivers to ensure consistent strategies.

     

    Need More Information?

    For further guidance or resources, please contact your child's teacher, childcare provider, or program administrator.


    This page titled 1.1: Biting Fact Sheet is shared under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Jennifer Marta and Hannah Knott.

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