12 Tips to Stop Kids from Biting
Bites hurt! These 12 tips will help stop your little one from chomping down on others. Baby teeth may be small, but a young child who’s biting needs to learn quickly it’s not okay.
Little kids bite for a variety of reasons. They’re overtired, teething, needing attention, or feeling out of control. Young children have a limited vocabulary. They don’t have the verbal skills to make their needs known.
Social emotional learning and the skills to express feelings and needs can be powerful tools in eliminating biting and other negative behaviors. Assist your child in identifying specific feelings. Feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or lonely are all underlying emotions which can be exhibited in an outburst of physical aggression such as hitting or biting. The goal is to eliminate the urge to bite.
12 Tips to Stop Biting
• Firmly, but quietly state, “No biting” when your child bites. Keep your own emotions in check while clearly stating the expectation for the behavior to stop.
• Focus your attention on the person who was bitten to model empathy and reduce negative attention.
• Explain cause and effect. Biting creates pain. A hug creates a smile.
• Watch for triggers to biting behavior (tired, anxious, frustrated, etc.).
• Help your child to identify and verbally express emotions.
• Role play how to interact with others using words. Problem solving and practicing coping skills will benefit your child in many situations.
• Avoid labeling your child a “biter.”
• Do not bite your child back or allow siblings to bite one another.
• Make sure your child is getting enough sleep.
• Offer teething toys.
• Praise your child for appropriate behaviors and positive friendship skills.
• Provide choices for your child to feel in control (clothing, meal choices, etc.)
Reading books related to behaviors children are challenged with is always a good idea. No Biting by Karen Katz, Teeth Are Not for Biting by Elizabeth Verdick, and People Don’t Bite People by Lisa Wheeler are my three favorites to help extinguish biting. Focusing on kindness helps too!
© 2021 Becky Danielson. All rights reserved.
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