Comments on: Ouch! He Bit Me!

By: Dana Childress, M.Ed.

Dana Childress, M.Ed. — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 12:35:30 +0000

In reply to Allan.

Thanks Allan! I agree that trying to “unteach” a challenging behavior is so much harder and usually takes longer than tackling it from the beginning. Biting is hard too because it’s easy to take it personally and it can be upsetting for the adult. When parents/child care providers can step back from the event and realize that the child is probably experimenting, communicating and/or just lost control, it can be much easier to tackle right away. When our emotions get tangled up in there, that also makes it harder to manage (speaking as someone who was completely shocked to be bitten…).

By: Allan

Allan — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 12:19:24 +0000

Very good discussion on biting which is a very common behavior that occurs. It is so important to address it with the suggestions offered at the very start and at the young age so it does not have to be “untaught later which is more challenging.

By: Dana Childress, M.Ed.

Dana Childress, M.Ed. — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 12:14:06 +0000

In reply to Belkis Negron,PT.

Great strategy, Belkis! Having a sense of humor is essential to surviving the toddler years, BUT thinking about the implications of laughing/rewarding a behavior is important too, in other situations, with other people, and even when the child is older. Talking with parents about how much easier it is to teach a very young child appropriate behavior versus trying to “unteach” biting to a preschooler can be another similar discussion.

By: Belkis Negron,PT

Belkis Negron,PT — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 21:10:06 +0000

This is such a great topic. It seems that I encounter it all the time. Thank you for your advice. I will share it. Most parents laugh out loud, celebrating their child’s action over and over. They find it extremely funny. I sometimes have to ask parents to reflect about how the biting would look like in other settings when mom is not around to celebrate. Its many times an eye opening experience for the parents to explore the social implications this behavior can have in they children.

By: Dana Childress, M.Ed.

Dana Childress, M.Ed. — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 19:07:25 +0000

In reply to Cori Hill.

Pretty good, huh?! Ha! I think that can be one of the hardest situations to manage – when the toddler bites another child. In my case, I was my son’s only lucky target. I think he got quite a kick out of his screeching mama!

By: Dana Childress, M.Ed.

Dana Childress, M.Ed. — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 19:04:52 +0000

In reply to Kim Griffith.

Thanks Kim! CSEFEL resources are always a big help! I think that last strategy is especially important when a toddler bites a sibling or a peer in childcare.

By: Cori Hill

Cori Hill — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 18:54:16 +0000

I think your strategies are really clear, Dana. This did remind me of when my younger daughter started biting and unfortunately, her “target” was her older sister. Kinda hard to teach a 4 year old how to neutralize her response b/c WOW, what a great impact a 4 year screeching has on a 1 year old! 🙂

You are right though. MY response as the mother was important. And, I too am happy to say that as a college FRESHMAN (where did that time go?), she’s pretty good at not biting!

By: Kim Griffith

Kim Griffith — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 18:45:04 +0000

Here is another good resource that addresses biting behaviors:
csefel.vanderbilt.edu/documents/biting_parenting_tool.pdf
It gives guidance to consider patterns of the biting behaviors, to acknowledge the feelings the child might be experiencing causing him to bite, and suggests giving more attention to the victim in the biting situation than the biter.

By: Dana Childress, M.Ed.

Dana Childress, M.Ed. — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 14:59:55 +0000

In reply to Lauren.

Great strategies, Lauren! Walking away is also a good parent “time-out” – a time for the parent to regroup and calm down. It can serve both purposes!

By: Lauren

Lauren — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 14:41:29 +0000

I often encourage parents to try to keep their reactions as neutral as possible, and to remove themselves from the situation if they need to (as long as the child is safe). It’s hard to stay calm and respond appropriately when upset! A lack of response may help decrease the biting very quickly.