Discussion on how to handle children biting.
Australian Child Carers Forum » Child Development
Biting
(4 posts)-
Posted 2 years ago #
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Biting is quite common with children around 9months to 3years of age. It is mostly related to teething and frustration. Frustration because they can't use verbal communication with their peers, they may not be developmentally ready. Fighting over toys/equipment, other children taking things from them may be common triggers.
SUPERVISION is most important, but we can't be everywhere all of the time. Good team communication and working environment is going to make this easier.
READING to children from a young age (newborn), and at least one book/story a day is calming and will help to develop and encourage children's language development.
If you have a favourite story or familiar story, allow the child to read it to you, or parts from their memory.
MORE than one of the same toy, if possible, will help with fighting over toys.
If a child is young (under 1 and a half) put books around them and talk about the pictures, they will take it all in even if they can't talk. Language development will hopefully help a child to talk rather than express themselves through biting when upset.
You may show the biting child how upset the other child is when they are bitten, make it short and do not yell. Then redirect the biter to a quiet activity, reading, drawing, block building, food or drink. Don't take the biting child to the same activity every time when it happens, as they may associate that activity with biting and may bite to get to that activity.
Get more information on biting from books, go to the resources section of this site.What are your opinions/views?
Posted 1 year ago # -
Also child care professionals should never let parents know who has bitten their child, they will ask, but it is highly unprofessional and a breach of confidentiality. It is not fair to the child that has bitten to be 'labelled'. As a child care professional if the child is a continual biter you will need to come up with stratergies to prevent this from happening.x
Do you have some other ideas to add to this topic?
Posted 1 year ago # -
I have been using signing with kids for years now, and it has results as the kids can communicate - even if it's to say - "NOT HAPPY JAN". THey can express themselves.
We'll never wipe out chewing - it can be awful, but just make sure the victim;'s needs are adressed and ensure the 'biter' isn't being baited and manipulated by other children. It's amazing what can happen when our backs are turned!
Posted 1 year ago #
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