What is what to do when toddler bites?

When a toddler bites, it's crucial to respond calmly and consistently. Here's a breakdown of what to do:

1. Immediate Response:

   • React immediately: Say a firm and clear "No biting! Biting hurts." or "We don't bite." Keep your tone serious but avoid yelling.
   • Attend to the Victim: Focus your initial attention on the child who was bitten. Offer comfort and assess any injury. This reinforces that biting causes harm and that the victim needs support.

2. Address the Biter:

   • Separate the Biter: Briefly remove the biter from the situation. This could be a short time-out (1 minute per year of age is a general guideline).
   • Explain the Consequences: In simple terms, explain why biting is unacceptable. For example, "Biting hurts. When you bite, [victim's name] feels sad/hurt. We don't hurt our friends."
   • Focus on Feelings: Help the child identify their feelings that led to the biting. Were they frustrated, angry, or seeking attention? Say something like "I see you were angry because [reason]. Biting is not okay, what else can we do when we are angry?".
   • Offer Alternatives: Provide alternative ways to express those feelings, such as using words, stomping their feet, squeezing a toy, or asking for help. This is key to building coping skills.

3. Prevention and Understanding:

   • Identify Triggers: Try to determine the triggers for the biting. Is it during playtime, when tired, hungry, or overwhelmed?
   • Teach Empathy: Help your child understand the feelings of others. Read books about emotions, and talk about how others feel when they are hurt.
   • Positive Reinforcement: Praise and reward positive behaviors, such as sharing, using words to express feelings, and playing gently.
   • Ensure Adequate Supervision: Especially in situations where biting is likely to occur (e.g., crowded play areas), ensure adequate supervision to intervene before biting happens.
   • Rule out underlying issues: While typically behavioral, persistent biting could also sometimes stem from sensory sensitivities, teething pain, or other underlying causes. If biting is persistent or accompanied by other concerning behaviors, consulting a pediatrician or child development specialist is recommended.

Here are the important topics as links:

• React immediately
• Attend to the Victim
• Separate the Biter
• Explain the Consequences
• Focus on Feelings
• Offer Alternatives
• Identify Triggers
• Teach Empathy
• Positive Reinforcement
• Ensure Adequate Supervision