Biting is one of the most frustrating but also the most common behavior in children. For daycare providers, a biting child can be a handful to deal with. Unfortunately, there is no simple solution to stop every single child from biting.
The only way to minimize and prevent future biting is to observe the children carefully and create an individual biting prevention plan for the toddlers you are in charge of.
Observing the Child
If a child starts biting other children in the daycare, it is important to observe him or her carefully. Find out what causes the child to bite and if he or she is targeting a certain child. How does the child react after the child they have bitten becomes upset? Does his biting problem become worse at certain times of the day?
Getting the answers to these questions can help you figure out how to prevent biting behavior in young children.
Let’s take a look at some of the things you need to do to discourage biting in toddlers.
Discourage Biting in Toddlers
Most toddlers are too young for a scolding or even a timeout. In fact, some intervention methods can even worsen the situation. Here is how daycare providers can intervene when a toddler is biting other children.
Be Firm About No Biting
If a toddler has bitten or is about to bite a child, you need to firmly but calmly say “No bite” to them. Once you know that the child bites others, you need to keep a careful watch on them without letting them know they are getting extra attention.
Keep a Predictable Routine
Keep a consistent routine when it comes to meals, nap time, and playtime. A predictable routine can make the toddler feel safe and comfortable in a daycare setting and can reduce the chances of stressing out or upsetting the child, which is one of the leading causes of biting in children.
Supervise Closely
Biting is a common behavior among children. If there is a biter in your class, make sure daycare providers stay close to him or her so that they may intervene in case of an issue. It is a good idea to get a specific individual to shadow the biting child closely. If the child bites a specific boy or girl, separate them to minimize the risk of such incidents.
Reduce Chances of Frustration
One of the reasons why toddlers get frustrated is when they have to share toys or wait for their turn. Make sure your daycare has plenty of toys and activities available for all kids. If possible, get extras of toys that are highly popular with kids.
Provide Positive Reinforcement
If the child who is biting is getting along nicely with his friends and is not biting, then it is a good idea to praise them and offer them some positive attention. This will make the child happy, reduce their frustration levels, and make them less prone to biting.
Be Patient
Teach the child who is prone to biting a more appropriate coping mechanism than biting. If biting does occur, encourage the child to make amends with the child he or she has bitten. If needed, give him or her some time to cool off. Finally, gently guide him or her toward more appropriate behavior through loving discipline.
Bottom Line
For most small children, biting is a normal phase. Children often bite when they are angry, tired, frustrated, sleepy, hungry, or jealous. Younger toddlers may also bite in an attempt to explore the world.
It is important that daycare providers not overreact when a child bites since your reaction can make the child excited. It is important to show the child gentle and loving discipline to break their habit of biting.
If you are concerned about how to handle bad behavior in daycare children, visit our website at Standout Daycare and take a look at our blog which offers necessary advice on how to deal with toddlers.
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