Biting problems appear when children reach 1 to 3 three years of age. Although biting behavior diminishes as children get older, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry reports that biting is common among preschool children. Preschoolers experience new opportunities for social contact and typically want to play with friends and explore their environment. However, a preschooler may bite another child when he is frustrated, angry or suffers from abuse at home.
When a Biting Incident Occurs
After separating the children, investigate the extent of the victim's injury, provide medical attention and reassure the victim that she is safe. When the victim appears calm, turn your attention to the biter. Communicate and deliver consequences that are significant to the child. For example, suspend a privilege or cancel an anticipated event the child values. Talk about the relationship between her biting behavior and the consequence. Never bite the offending child to demonstrate the pain associated with a bite. Biting the child models and teaches aggressive behavior.
Addressing Problem-Solving Deficits
Preschool children struggle to use appropriate behavior with peers when faced with frustration, anger and ambiguity. Biting incidents occur when children use aggression to solve problems. When children learn other behaviors, biting problems diminish. Teach problem-solving skills to your preschool child through games and stories that teach cooperative behavior. Let the children role-play positive social behavior with puppets and answer age-appropriate "what-if" social dilemmas.
Using Proactive Interventions
If your child bites, accompany him on play dates and watch for warning signs of frustration. Warning signs include crying, yelling, lunging, shoving and foot-stamping. Stand close to your child and talk to him using a calm, reassuring voice. Quietly tell your child that you will not allow him to hurt the other child and cup your hand over his mouth. Stay with your child until he appears calm. If he remains agitated, remove him from the setting and explain that he may return after the angry feelings go away.
Recognizing Red Flags
Never ignore your child's biting behavior. Consult her pediatrician or a mental health professional if she engages in frequent biting behavior and your intervention has not helped. Children who struggle with problems such as anger management, sadness or abuse are more likely to demonstrate aggressive behaviors such as biting and continue to use aggression when they are older.
References
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Fighting and Biting
- BabyCenter; Biting: Why It Happens and What to Do About It; Ann Bartz
- Sixty Second Parent; Biting - How to Stop Your Preschooler's Biting Behavior; Michelle Hutchison
- Parenting.Org: Biting, Bullies and Other Bad Behavior at Preschool
