Biting

  Small children biting out of frustration, are at an age where they need to be taught the use of words to communicate their frustration in order for others to understand how they feel. Without the ability to communicate effectively with words, the only recource is to physically biting and hurting others that get in the way to get their feelings and ideas across. So, teach them to use words to vocalize their frustration instead of biting e.g. ' I don't like the way he took my toy away' or 'Stop! You are hurting me.'

Strategies:

• Make sure there are more than one of the favorite toys like only one toy truck with two boys will cause conflict.
• Do not bite back as it will reinforce that the unacceptable behavior is alright.
• Watch and Intervene before the child strikes and sinks his teeth into another unsuspecting child. Use a firm 'No'!
• Distraction is a good ploy to use when tantrums and fights occur. Engage children to a different task, activity or play to redirect their focus plus stay and play with them.

What if 'Too late, he's sunk his teeth into Sam's back!' be the cry?

• Remove the biter with a firm 'Stop! No! That is a wrong thing to do, it hurts Sam when you bite him!' Tell him that biting is not acceptable and it hurts other children. Move him to another supervised area for 'Time Out'.
• After a reasonable time, conference with him about the need to use words to express his wishes and lead him to apologize to Sam. Allow him to join other children but with constant supervision and frequent praise when he displays correct behaviour.
• When he show signs of playing cooperatively after rejoining, praise the child and give him attention.

The Victim:

  Comfort the child and give her a cold pack wrapped in a small towel. Express empathy to her that what happened was not the right thing in a comforting tone. First Aid may be necessary if the skin is broken as well as giving the ice pack. Usually children like the ice pack for every discomfort as it makes them feel better not just physically.