Responding to Your Childs Bite The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning Vanderbilt University vanderbilt

Presentation on theme: "Responding to Your Childs Bite The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning Vanderbilt University vanderbilt"— Presentation transcript:

Responding toYour Child�s Bite The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning Vanderbilt University vanderbilt.edu/csefel cars on the kitchen floor. Suddenly, Marc hears aMarc is frustrated. He doesn�t know what to do. Jalenbites often. He bites his brother, other children on the The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning Vanderbilt University vanderbilt.edu/csefel Developmentally, most toddlers don�tthey are feeling. They primarily rely onfeelings. While biting might be veryanyone. Your child might be biting tosay, �I�m scared,� �People arecrowding me,� or, �I�m frustrated.�Naturally, parents and caregivers worryanother child. And they worry aboutchildren. The good news is that therechild�s biting. Young children bite for many differentin reducing or stopping the behavior.frustration. They often do not knowmessages such as, �I don�t like that�or �I want that toy� or �You are innear or with others. They might not�Toddlers mightbite to see the effect it has onothers. They learn quickly that it�You seem interesting. I wonderTeething�Toddlersof others. They learn so much by�When children are hungry,sleepy, bored, or anxious, they areless able to cope with life�s ups andyoung children, that doesn�t mean it isinjury. Other children may begin to�he�s mean�) or avoid playing withharmful to a child�s relationships withIf yourchild seems to bite whenYou can say, �You are so frustrated.You want that toy.� Teach your child�no.� Teach some basic sign�Sean Locke If you think yourchild mightbe biting fororal stimulation: Offer crunchy healthy foodsthroughout the day. Or, provideIf yourchild is biting becauseIf yourchild tends to bitewhen he/she is tired: times. Ask your child�s otherIf you believe yourchild mightTry to offer more frequentIf you believe yourchild mightbite when he/she is bored:different play spaces. If you believe yourchild mightTalk about any changes he/shehis/her feelings. Attempt to keepIf yourchild seems to biteby playing nearorwith others: play. Your child might need help tounderstand other children�s ideas.learn and practice how to join play,child�s doll, you might say, �MollyIf you think yourchild is bitingbiting has a big effect on the adult.An adult�s big reaction can be verywith cause and effect in other ways. The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning Vanderbilt University vanderbilt.edu/csefel scolding), clearly, and firmly say,Show and explain the effect of theexample, you might say, �Jack isably, adults often react strongly tocorrect the biting behavior.However, even negative attentionmodel apologies and empathy.Avoid trying to get your child toapologize. While it is important foryour child to develop empathy,Acknowledge your child�s feelings.You might say something like,�You are frustrated. Let�s findanother way. Touch gently or askfor the toy. You can say, �Can I difficult feelings. Continue tohelp put words to your child�sexperience: �You don�t like it whenJalen bites. You can say �stop.�� Shadow orstay within arm�sdistance of yourchild duringTalk to others who care foryourShare with your child�sprone to biting. Ask your childcarebiting. Try to have all caregiversway. Provide yourchild withteeth are for. Teeth are forchewing foods, not people. Offerchew. If your child�s biting does not decreasedoctor�s office or medical clinic. Ifyou to another professional. Achildpotential reasons for your child�s bitingPortions adapted with permission from�ZERO TO THREE. (n.d.). Chew onThis: Responding to Toddlers WhoBite.� Retrieved June 5, 2008, fromhttp://www.zerotothree.org/site/PageSerthe different characters might befeeling. If you have an older toddler,book to you by telling you what isTeeth Are Not for Biting Elizabeth VerdickLouise by Margie creates confusion and fear. Youngthem and their own biting. And itYelling, scolding, lecturing, or usingmight increase your child�s level ofmore biting. They also do not teach Foundations for Early Learning Child Care BureauOffice of