"What To Do When A Child Bites!"
Biting is usually an emotionally charged event for everyone – the
child bitten, the adult(s) present, the biter, and any parents needing
to be informed. For most children, biting is usually short-lived and
does not become a habit. Here are some things to consider when a
child bites.
Children bite for different reasons
at different ages:
Infants and young toddlers: may bite to relieve
aching gums when teething, to learn about objects by
“mouthing” or chewing them, or to find out what
happens when they bite.
Older Toddlers: may bite when getting little positive attention or
interaction, to get someone to move or something they want, to
imitate another, or to relieve stress or frustration. Toddlers
communicate a lot with their bodies, can become easily frustrated,
and are often not able to distinguish between what is loving and
what hurts.
Preschoolers: may bite as a last resort or because something
disturbing is going on. By this age, with all the social and
communication skills they’ve learned, biting is often a way to ask
for help.
What Can Adults Do When a Bite Occurs?
Do not react with extreme alarm when a child bites, but use your
face and voice to show it is unacceptable. A child who bites needs
to learn that what he did really hurt.
Give needed comfort to the child who was bitten.
Separate a biter who is out of control until he calms down.
Say, “Biting hurts-- you can bite food not people.”
Point out the consequences of the biting: “Look, he’s crying.
He is sad and hurts.”
Say, “Let’s get ice.” Helping the biter think of ways to
express sorrow or provide comfort helps develop empathy.
Tell the parents of the child who was bitten what happened
and what you did to handle the situation.
Treating the bite - Bites that do not break the skin should be
cleaned, and treated with a cold compress or ice. Medical treatment
by a professional is advised when the bite breaks the skin.
To prevent biting from happening - Don’t expect young
children to play unsupervised. Young children are more likely to
bite out of frustration and in group situations. They may not be
ready to share or play with several children at once. They may
need quieter activities or one-on-one time with you.
Provide a cloth or teething ring for infants. Have duplicate toys for
toddlers. Make times to play together, read and laugh with your
child. Have predictable routines. Children are more secure and less
stressed when they are confident of your love and are given clear
limits for their behavior.
You are helping your child learn skills for handing emotions and
getting along with others.
Revised: Patti Faughn, Family Life Educator, Springfield Center, Fall 2005
For additional information, contact:
Angela Reinhart, Family Life Educator
University of Illinois Extension, Champaign County Unit
801 N Country Fair Drive, Suite D
Champaign, IL 61821 - 2492
Phone: 217-333-7672
Email: areinhrt@uiuc.edu
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