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Biting - how to stop your toddler's biting behavior
Does your toddler bite other children and adults? Don’t worry. You’re not alone.
Children bite others for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it is an expression of frustration or a way to cope with feeling threatened or uncomfortable. Children can also bite to see what reaction they will get.
Many children go through an intentional biting phase—usually occurring between the ages of one and three years old. Anyone may be a target: parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, or other children. Biting is not "cute" and needs to be stopped before it becomes a habit.
Consistently excluding your child after each episode is the best approach. The following steps should be helpful in stopping unwanted biting.
If your child is still biting regularly after the age of four, consult a pediatric counselor.
By Michelle Hutchison
Children bite others for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it is an expression of frustration or a way to cope with feeling threatened or uncomfortable. Children can also bite to see what reaction they will get.
Many children go through an intentional biting phase—usually occurring between the ages of one and three years old. Anyone may be a target: parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, or other children. Biting is not "cute" and needs to be stopped before it becomes a habit.
Consistently excluding your child after each episode is the best approach. The following steps should be helpful in stopping unwanted biting.
When you are the victim:
- After your child bites you, don't play with him/her again for a minute or two.
- If your child continues to bite you, then try not holding or playing with him/her for a longer period of time—about five minutes.
- If after two or three tries your child continues to bite you, then remove him/her from the room and from you for about five minutes.
In all circumstances:
- Be consistent. Follow these steps every time and your child should soon learn not to bite.
- Sometimes you can prevent your child from biting by watching for signs of anger or frustration that occur before biting. Some children may whine for a toy while others may frown or grab for the toy. If you see any of the signs that your child makes before biting, then you may be able to prevent the biting by distracting your child with a toy, a game, or your voice.
- Although it might be your first impulse to bite back when you are bitten, you should never bite your child back. This may teach your child that biting is acceptable.
If your child is still biting regularly after the age of four, consult a pediatric counselor.
By Michelle Hutchison
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