Understanding Biting in Nurseries and Preschools+PP

That “B” Word…
Biting
HANDLING BEHAVIORAL ISSUES IN CHILD
CARE SETTINGS
Did you know…
1 out of every 10 toddlers and two-year-olds bite!!!
Understanding Biting in
Toddlers
Biting is not “abnormal” but can be upsetting for teachers and parents
Common behavior in children aged 1-3 years maybe because of
teething, frustration, seeking attention, mimicking others
When children age 3 and older bite, it may be reflective of some other
type of behavioral problem
Why do children bite?
Children explore their world by putting everything into their mouth
Young children learn best by using all five senses
Developmental theorists suggest that biting may be a form of
exploration/communication
Very young children have not yet developed the concept of “sharing”
Teething discomfort
Lack of verbal skills to express feelings
Overstimulation or fatigue
Seeking control or response
Immediate Response to
Biting
Stay Calm: Keep emotions in check to manage the situation effectively.
Separate the Children: Ensure safety by moving the biter and the bitten
apart.
Comfort the Victim: Provide immediate care and attention to the bitten
child.
Address the Biter: Use a firm but gentle tone: "Biting hurts. We don't
bite.“
Assess the Situation: Look for triggers that led to the biting
Preventive Strategies
Predictable Routine: Create a stable and consistent daily schedule to

reduce anxiety.
Key person approach: Assign a key person
Sufficient Resources: Ensure plenty of toys and materials to prevent
competition.
Monitor Interactions: Keep a close eye on group dynamics and
intervene early.
Encourage Expression: Teach toddlers to use words or gestures to
express feelings.
Adequate Supervision: Increase adult presence during high-risk times
(e.g., transitions).
Teaching Alternatives to Biting
Expressing Feelings: Model and teach words for emotions ("I'm mad" or
"I need help").
Role-Playing: Use dolls or puppets to demonstrate non-biting solutions.
Chew Toys: Provide safe items for teething children to bite.
Positive Reinforcement: Praise children for using words and gentle
touch.
Communicating with Parents
Prompt Reporting: Inform parents about biting incidents immediately.
Detailed Information: Provide context and possible triggers for the
biting.
Consistency: Align strategies between home and school.
Support: Offer resources like articles or workshops on managing biting.
Types of biting
Experimental biting
Frustrated biting
Threatened biting
Power Biting
Teething Biting
Social Biting
Imitative Biting
Experimental Biting
May simply want to touch, smell, taste other people to
learn more about their world
Strategies:
◦ Offer a variety of surfaces to play on and a colorful selection of toys

to stimulate children during this stage of exploration
◦ May be motivated by teething pain; Offer appropriate things to chew
on for relief- teething biscuits, safe teething ring (parents should
provide from home)etc.
Frustrated Biting
Some lack the skills to cope with situations such as the desire for an adult’s
attention or another child’s toy.
The child may not have intended to hurt another child
Strategies:
◦ Tend to the victim immediately

◦ Explain to the biter that biting hurts
◦ Have the biter help the victim (do not make a game of this)
◦ Help them develop language skills.
◦ Watch for signs of rising frustration
Threatened Biting
Some children may feel they are in danger and bite in self-defense.
They may be overwhelmed by their surroundings and bite a means of
regaining control.
The child may feel threatened by situations such as divorce, death, mom
returning to work
Strategies:
◦ Assure the child that he/she is safe
◦ Additional nurturing
◦ Inquire about stressful situations at home
The Power Biting
Some children experience a strong need for autonomy and control. As
soon as they see the response they get from biting, the behavior
becomes strongly reinforced.
Strategies:
◦ Give the child attention when they are not biting

◦ Give the biter choices throughout the day and reinforce positive social behavior
◦ Child may need to be referred to counseling if biting/aggressive behavior continues
The Teething Biting
Infants and toddlers may experience discomfort when teething. The
natural response by the child is to apply pressure to the gums by biting
on things.
The Social Biting
Many times, an infant or toddler bites when trying to interact with
another child. This age child has not yet developed the social skills to
indicate “Hi, I want to play with you.”
The Imitative Biter
Imitation is one of the ways children learn. It is not uncommon for a
child to bite after he/she has observed this behavior.
What to do When Biting
Occurs
Analyze your environment:
◦ Is it crowded?
◦ Are there enough toys/resources?
◦ Are the children receiving enough attention?
◦ Are the children well supervised?
◦ Are children hungry or sleepy prior to lunch or nap time?
What is Really Happening?
Developing a Biting Log
Where did the 1st incident 2nd incident 3rd incident
incident happen?
Who was
involved? What
triggered the
behavior?
When did the
incident happen?
Time/activity
Action taken
Why do you
think the biting
may be
happening?
Other: Does the
child bite
himself/others?
Develop an Action Plan
Sample
Date Strategies Who Completed
3/12 1. Teacher will review Teacher(s)

current literature on
biting.
2. A biting incident log Teachers

must be kept in every
classroom
3. Review curriculum Director

for sensory activities
and materials available
4. Review language
activities
Interventions
“Shadow the Biter”
Have duplicate materials
Provide a variety of options and sensory motor choices
Adjust nap time if necessary
Strengthen the sense of security and stability in the environment
Maintain a consistent routine
For The Child Who Is Bitten
Comfort the child
Cleanse the wound/provide ice pack if necessary
Use reassuring words
Provider Strategies
Create warm/cozy places
Avoid unnecessary staffing changes
Develop and maintain group rituals
Have noise absorbing material in the classroom
Provide cause and effect toys and open ended toys
Teach appropriate ways of control
In Summary
Explore relationships between child development and biting
Be familiar with the types of biters
Use strategies for each type of biter
Develop an action plan when needed
Effectively communicate with parents
Document!
Resources
◦ https://www.pathwaysforyou.org/sites/default/files/inline-files/Why%20To
ddlers%20Bite%20Strategies.pdf
◦ https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/understanding-and-responding-c
hildren-who-bite

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That “B” Word…

Predictable Routine: Create a stable and consistent daily schedule to

◦ Offer a variety of surfaces to play on and a colorful selection of toys

◦ Tend to the victim immediately

◦ Give the child attention when they are not biting

3/12 1. Teacher will review Teacher(s)

2. A biting incident log Teachers

3. Review curriculum Director

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