Bite Down on Your Toddler’s Biting Habit
Monday, September 15th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Around one and three years of age, a toddler will frequently begin to bite others. The most common reason for this concern is that this is one of the few ways that toddlers can effectively communicate with others. But not all children have the biting habit. Some grab, shove, pinch or punch. That can be just as bad!
Another reason that toddlers bite is that they feel frustrated because their motor and communication skills are so limited at this time.
A toddler will laugh when mommy suddenly jumps and screams, or if one of his friends starts wailing. Another reason for biting is that the toddler is teething or because they just think everything should go in their mouth so why not someone’s arm? The cause might even be as basic as being hungry.
How do you teach your child not to bite? You must make it perfectly clear that biting is wrong and hurtful. Help them to understand that other kids feel pain when your little one bites them. Be sure to let your toddler know that biting is not allowed, that it’s wrong, and that it makes you unhappy.
If you find that your child is biting due to frustration, give your toddler an alternative way to express to people they are having a difficult time. Although it seems a gargantuan effort for your toddler to communicate with words, this is a great time to start teaching them the right words for a situation.
As an example, “When you need to tell mommy that you need some help, you can’t bite.” Or “Let mommy know what you need, but no biting. You’ll hurt her if you bite, and I know you would never want to hurt mommy.” This might induce a sense of shame for their actions, and they may think twice the next time before biting someone.
Parents should not let biting become the center of attention. This will be true for any type of behavior that you want to discourage. Gently but firmly tell the toddler that there is no biting allowed, that it is wrong and that it hurts all sorts of people – both big and small.
Visit Toddlers Now for more great tips on raising a little one.
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