As we disÂcussed in our post on infants and bitÂing, chilÂdren bite for varÂiÂous reaÂsons durÂing difÂferÂent periÂods of develÂopÂment. So, why do todÂdlers bite? For todÂdlers, bitÂing is typÂiÂcalÂly an attempt to comÂmuÂniÂcate desires and feelÂings. TodÂdlers are impulÂsive and lack self-conÂtrol. They expeÂriÂence intense, someÂtimes conÂflictÂing emoÂtions, often movÂing quickÂly from one mood to anothÂer. DurÂing the todÂdler periÂod, chilÂdren become more interÂestÂed in interÂactÂing with othÂer chilÂdren and feel a strong need for indeÂpenÂdence and conÂtrol over their own actions. TodÂdlers seek chalÂlenges, but also expeÂriÂence frusÂtraÂtion. Any of the preÂcedÂing charÂacÂterÂisÂtics may trigÂger bitÂing behavÂior in toddlers.
KnowlÂedge of each child’s indiÂvidÂual perÂsonÂalÂiÂty and needs is an essenÂtial eleÂment of a bitÂing-preÂvenÂtion stratÂeÂgy. A todÂdler may be espeÂcialÂly affecÂtionÂate and genÂerÂous with hugs and kissÂes for everyÂone. If these kissÂes involve more teeth than lips, howÂevÂer, this child needs guidÂance to learn new and safer ways to express his or her affection.
A child who is shy may have a difÂfiÂcult time joinÂing othÂer children’s play. OverÂwhelmed by an attempt to do so, a child may instincÂtiveÂly bite the child with whom he or she is tryÂing to play. This todÂdler needs the guidÂance of a carÂing adult who can help him or her learn posÂiÂtive social interÂacÂtion skills.
Take our 2 clock hour (0.2 CEU) Course BitÂing Hurts! to learn more about why young chilÂdren bite and how to respond effecÂtiveÂly. This course will help you develÂop strateÂgies for preÂventÂing and hanÂdling bitÂing inciÂdents and comÂmuÂniÂcate with parÂents about biting.
WhatÂevÂer the reaÂson for young children’s bitÂing, you must rememÂber the folÂlowÂing points:
- BitÂing is usuÂalÂly a short-term phase that has no lastÂing sigÂnifÂiÂcance in terms of the child’s development.
- BitÂing is not an occaÂsion for blame. Do not blame the child, the child’s parÂents, or yourself.
- BitÂing is not a sign that the child is “bad.” It is not cause for punishment.”
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