Although
biting isn't "abnormal" in the sense that one out
of ten toddlers and two-year-olds does it, it is a disturbing
and potentially harmful behavior that parents and educators
must discourage from the very first episode. If a child bites,
remain calm and think about what the child experienced just
before the incident. Understanding why young children bite can
help you deter this aggressive behavior and teach them positive
ways to handle their feelings.
Young children may bite for different reasons, and not all will
respond to the same types of intervention. Identifying the kind
of biter you're dealing with will help you develop an appropriate
discipline technique.
1. The experimental biter. An infant or young child may
take an experimental bite out of a mother's breast or a caregiver's
shoulder. When this occurs, adults should use prompt, clear
signals to communicate that children must not bite people. "No,"
said sharply, would be an appropriate response.
These experimental biters may simply want to touch, smell and
taste other people in order to learn more about their world.
Their muscles are developing, and they need to experiment. Provide
them with a variety of surfaces to play on and a colorful selection
of toys to stimulate children during this stage of exploration.
This type of biter may also be motivated by teething pain. Offer
children appropriate things to chew on for relief: frozen bagels,
very cold, large carrots, teething biscuits, or a safe teething
ring.
2. The frustrated biter. Some biters lack the skills
to cope with situations such as the desire for an adult's attention
or another child's toy. Even though the child may not have intended
to harm another person, adults must react with disapproval.
First, tend to the victim immediately. Then explain to the biter
that biting hurts others and is not allowed -- the caregiver's
job is to keep all children safe.
You may help frustrated biters by teaching them appropriate
language to show their feelings or get what they need. Give
positive reinforcement when children communicate effectively.
Also, watch for signs of rising frustration. Spotting potential
conflict may help you intercept a potentially harmful incident.
3. The threatened biter. Some children, feeling they
are endangered, bite in self-defense. They may be overwhelmed
by their surroundings, and bite as a means of regaining control.
In this case, use the intervention techniques already mentioned,
and assure the child that his rights and possessions are safe.
Children may become threatened by situations such as newly separated
parents, the death of a grandparent, or a mother returning to
the work force. The threatened biter may require additional
nurturing, particularly if the danger is along the lines of
physical violence at home or in the immediate neighborhood.
In any case, the bond between child and caregiver should be
as warm and reassuring as possible.
4. The power biter. Some children experience a strong
need for autonomy and control. As soon as they see the response
they get from biting, the behavior is strongly reinforced. Give
the biter choices throughout the day and reinforce positive
social behavior (like sharing and saying thanks). If the biter
gets attention when she is not biting, she will not have to
resort to aggressive behavior to feel a sense of personal power.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Never hit or "bite back" a child for biting. This
communicates that violence is an appropriate way to handle emotion.
The approach should be calm and educational. A child should
not experience any reward for biting -- not even the "reward"
of negative attention.
Parents and caregivers must cooperate to prevent children from
biting. If children are permitted to demonstrate such behavior
at home, there will be no chance of eliminating it in the center,
program, or family child care home. Working as a team, educators
and parents may identify possible reasons for a child's biting
and respond accordingly. While early childhood professionals
may be more familiar with positive discipline techniques, parents
are experts on their own children's behavior.
Take the time to look for patterns in the biter's environment
and emotional state at each episode. Does the child always bite
the same individual? Is the biter simply exhausted, or hungry?
Be ready to intervene immediately, but carefully. Teaching children
age-appropriate ways to control themselves encourages the development
of confidence and self-esteem. We can guide children towards
self-control and away from biting. The key is understanding
-- for adults and children alike.
Reproduced
with permission from the National Association for the Education
of Young Children
a1co.com