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

Responding toYour ChildÕs 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 doesnÕt 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 donÕtthey are feeling. They primarily rely onfeelings. While biting might be veryanyone. Your child might be biting tosay, ÒIÕm scared,Ó ÒPeople arecrowding me,Ó or, ÒIÕm frustrated.ÓNaturally, parents and caregivers worryanother child. And they worry aboutchildren. The good news is that therechildÕs biting. Young children bite for many differentin reducing or stopping the behavior.frustration. They often do not knowmessages such as, ÒI donÕt like thatÓor ÒI want that toyÓ or ÒYou are innear or with others. They might notÑToddlers mightbite to see the effect it has onothers. They learn quickly that itÒYou seem interesting. I wonderTeethingÑToddlersof others. They learn so much byÑWhen children are hungry,sleepy, bored, or anxious, they areless able to cope with lifeÕs ups andyoung children, that doesnÕt mean it isinjury. Other children may begin toÒheÕs meanÓ) or avoid playing withharmful to a childÕs relationships withIf yourchild seems to bite whenYou can say, ÒYou are so frustrated.You want that toy.Ó Teach your childÒno.Ó 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 childÕs 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 childrenÕs ideas.learn and practice how to join play,childÕs doll, you might say, ÒMollyIf you think yourchild is bitingbiting has a big effect on the adult.An adultÕs 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, ÒJack 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 childÕs feelings.You might say something like,ÒYou are frustrated. LetÕs findanother way. Touch gently or askfor the toy. You can say, ÒCan I difficult feelings. Continue tohelp put words to your childÕsexperience: ÒYou donÕt like it whenJalen bites. You can say Ôstop.ÕÓ Shadow orstay within armÕsdistance of yourchild duringTalk to others who care foryourShare with your childÕsprone to biting. Ask your childcarebiting. Try to have all caregiversway. Provide yourchild withteeth are for. Teeth are forchewing foods, not people. Offerchew. If your childÕs biting does not decreasedoctorÕs office or medical clinic. Ifyou to another professional. Achildpotential reasons for your childÕs bitingPortions adapted with permission fromÒZERO TO THREE. (n.d.). Chew onThis: Responding to Toddlers WhoBite.Ó 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 childÕs level ofmore biting. They also do not teach Foundations for Early Learning Child Care BureauOffice of