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That “B” Word—Biting

Handling behavioral issues in child care settings

Updated 11/6/06

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ObjectivesThe participant will be able to:

explore the relationship between child development, aggressive behavior and biting

list the types of “biters” identify strategies used with each type

of biter develop an action plan identify strategies to effectively

communicate with parents

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Introduction

Biting is not “abnormal” but can be upsetting for teachers and parents.

When children age 3 and older bite, it may be reflective of some other type of behavioral problem.

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1 out of every 10 toddler and two year olds bite!

Did you Did you know…know…

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Principles of Child Growth and Development Children explore their world by

putting everything into their mouth.

Young children learn best by using all five senses.

Developmental theorists suggest that biting may be a form of exploration.

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Principles of Child Growth and Development (con’t)

May be a primitive form of communication

Very young children have not yet developed the concept of “sharing”

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Behavior issues…Aggression, Anger, Hitting and Biting

Toddlers are trying to figure out “who” they are. Aggressive behavior may be just a stage.

From about ages 3-5 there should be a drop in aggressive behavior.

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Strategies for Handling Aggressive Behaviors

Help children understand and express feelings

Encourage language and communication Provide toys that are cause and effect Use redirection Be proactive! Have information in your

parent handbook about the developmental aspects of aggressive behaviors and biting.

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Types of Biters

Experimental Biter

Frustrated Biter

Threatened Biter

The Power Biter

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Experimental Biter

May simply want to touch, smell, taste other people in order to learn more about their world

Muscles are developingStrategies:

Offer a variety of surfaces to play on and a colorful selection of toys to stimulate children during this stage of exploration.

May be motivated by teething pain. Offer appropriate things to chew on for relief-frozen bagels, teething biscuits, safe teething ring.

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Frustrated Biter Some biters lack the skills to cope with situations

such as the desire for an adult’s attention or another child’s toy.

The child may not have intended to hurt another child.

Strategies: Tend to the victim immediately. Explain to the biter that biting hurts. Help them develop language skills. Watch for

signs of rising frustration.

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Threatened BiterSome children may feel they are in danger

and bite in self-defense. They may be overwhelmed by their surroundings and bite as a means of regaining control.

Strategies: Assure the child that he/she is safe. The child may become threatened by situations

such as newly separated parents, the death of a grandparent or a mother returning to work.

The child may require additional nurturing.

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The Power Biter

Some children experience a strong need for autonomy and control. As soon as they see the response they get from biting, the behavior is strongly reinforced. If the biter gets attention when he/she is not biting, the child will not have to resort to aggressive behavior to feel a sense of personal power.

Strategies Give the biter choices throughout the day and

reinforce positive social behavior (i.e. sharing)

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Developmental Scenarios that may contribute to biting

Teething

Difficulty getting along with others (social interactions)

Imitation

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The Teething Biter

Infants and toddlers may experience discomfort when teething. A natural response by the child is to apply pressure to the gums by biting on things. (Similar to the experimental biter)

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The Social Biter

Many times an infant or toddler bites when trying to interact with another child. This age child has not yet developed the social skills to indicate ”Hi, I want to play with you.”

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The Imitative Biter

Imitation is one of the ways children learn. It is not uncommon for a child to bite after he/she has observed this behavior.

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What to do when biting occurs

Infants may not understand the difference between biting a toy and biting a person.

Never, ever bite back! It communicates to the child that violence is acceptable.

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What to do when biting occurs Have children age two and over assist in

thefirst aid process. Teacher needs todemonstrate “gentle touches”.

Stress communication skills. Help childrenlearn new words and learn to express theirfeelings.

Say “No” in a firm voice.

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What to do when biting occurs

Analyze your environment: Is it crowded?

Are there enough toys?

Are the children receiving enough attention?

Are children well supervised?

Are children hungry or sleepy prior to lunch or nap?

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What is really happening?Developing A Biting Log

Where did the biting incident happen?

1st incident 2ndincident 3rd incident

Who was involved?What seemed to trigger the behavior?

When did the biting happen?(Time of day/activity)

What happened afterwards? How was the situation handled?

Why do you think the biting may be happening?

Other: Does the child bite himself? Objects?

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Developing an Action PlanObjective: To decrease the numbers of biting incidences in the toddler classroom. (Sample plan)

Date Strategies Who Budget Completed

1. Teacher will review current literature on biting.

Teacher(s)

2. Classroom teachers will keep a biting log. Also must be documented on incident log.

Teacher(s)

3. Classroom teacher and Director will review biting log.

4. Review curriculum for sensory activities and materials available. (Water, Playdough, Sand)

Review Language activities

Director Purchase teacher resources for additional sensory activities

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Action Plan continued…

Date Strategies Who Budget Completed

5. Provide cause and effect activities. Ex.(Jack in the Box)

6. Shadow the biter within the group setting.

7. Parents and teachers will confer. Use the same language at home & center.

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Interventions for the Child Who Bites “Shadow” the biter Have duplicate materials Provide a variety of options and

sensory motor choices Adjust nap and lunch time if

necessary Strengthen the sense of security

and stability in the environment Maintain a consistent routine

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Interventions for the Child Who Bites (cont)

Use redirection Analyze your environment—space,

toys “Catch” them being good Positive reinforcement Behavior Modification

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Interventions for the Child Who is Bitten

Comfort the child who was bitten Cleanse the wound with mild soap

and water. Provide an ice pack to reduce pain and swelling

Provide comfort for the wounded child by saying, “That really hurt! You don't like it when your friend bites your arm!”

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Provider Strategies: In the Classroom

Create warm / cozy places to be Avoid unnecessary staffing changes Develop and maintain group rituals Have noise absorbing material in the

classroom Provide toys and materials that are

open- ended Teach children age appropriate ways

to control themselves

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Communicating with the family of the child who is the biter

Notify parents in writing (Accident/Incident Report) Classroom meeting with teacher/director Review the classroom biting log Obtain information about home-is the child biting

at home? Is the child getting bitten at home? Determine which type of biter he or she may be Develop/Discuss action plan with parents Notify parents that Medical Records of children will

not be released (violates HIPAA Privacy Rule) Stress confidentiality

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Communicating with the family of a child who has been bitten

Notify parents in writing (Accident/Incident Report)

NEVER release the name of the biter Notify parents that Medical Records of biter

shall not be released (violates HIPAA Privacy Rule)

Be sympathetic, not apologetic (apology can imply there is a foolproof way to prevent biting)

Discuss general action plan with parents Stress confidentiality

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In Summary Explore relationships between child

development and biting Be familiar with types of biters Use strategies for each type of biter Develop an action plan when needed Effectively communicate with parents Re-evaluate Action Plan after each

incident

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Resources Healthy Kids, Healthy Care: Biting and Other Aggressive

Behaviors http://www.healthykids.us/chapters/biting_main.htm  (Has

even MORE resources within this page.  Great website for parents!)

Dealing with Biting Behaviors in Young (Early Childhood and

Parenting ECAP-Collaborative)  http://ceep.crc.uiuc.edu/poptopics/biting.html  This report

discusses (1) why young children bite, (2) how common biting problems are, (3) what interventions might be considered, and (4) how teachers or caregivers can interact with and involve parents in dealing with biting behavior.

Fact Sheet for Families: Biting (California Childcare Health Program) http://www.ucsfchildcarehealth.org/pdfs/factsheets/bitingen011804.pdf

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More Resources

AAP Fact Sheet – Biting

http://www.ecels-healthychildcarepa.org/content/FS-biting.pdf (American Academy of Pediatrics)

Biters: Why They Do It and What to Do About It http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content3/biters.p.t.4.html (National Association for the Education of Young Children)

A Bite in the Playroom: Managing Human Bites in Day Care Settings http://www.cps.ca/english/statements/ID/id98-01.htm (Canadian Paediatric Society)

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Questions?

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Acknowledgements Jennie W. TrovingerEC Consultants, Inc.Jwtrovinger@gwsinc.com

Bethany Geldmaker, PhDClaire Wood, RN, Child Care Health

ConsultantHealthy Child Care VirginiaVirginia Department of Healthwww.vahealth.org/childadolescenthealthvacchcs@aol.com