Little kids do the cutest things: give unexpected hugs, laugh out loud, snuggle up to you when they're tired.
But as any parent of a young child knows, they also have the ability to do things that don't really go so well, like kicking, screaming... Or bite.
Biting is common in early childhood, but if your child bites, it won't make you feel comfortable. After all, no one likes their kids to be seen as a threat in a playgroup. Worst of all, children who are perceived as "biting" can be evicted from the nursery; problems that unemployed parents want to face.
You might think that biting is just another stage you have to go through, but that's not always the case. There are ways to completely eliminate the biting habits of young children. Here's how to help eliminate this behavior.
Why do young children bite?
Bites are very common in early childhood. Babies and toddlers bite for a variety of reasons, such as teething or wanting to explore toys or objects with their mouths. As they begin to understand the relationship between cause and effect, they may also bite to see if they can get a response.
For young children, biting is also a way to attract attention or express their feelings. Frustration, anger, and fear are strong emotions, and young children do not have the language skills to deal with them. So if they can't quickly find the word they need or can't express their feelings, they may bite to express "Pay attention to me!" Or "I don't like this!" ”
Bites are more common in boys and tend to occur more frequently at one to two years of age. As language skills improve, biting usually decreases.
How to avoid being bitten
In the case of biting, it is important to resolve it immediately after the behavior has occurred. The next time your child bites, try these steps:
Step 1: Stay calm and confident. Face the child and firmly say "Don't bite!" Or "If you bite, you'll get hurt!" Be sure to use simple and easy-to-understand phrases for your child to understand. It's wrong to be clear about biting, but avoid lengthy explanations until your child reaches the point where it's understandable. Staying as calm as possible will help you resolve issues faster.
Step 2: Comfort the victim. Turn your attention to the person being bitten, especially if it's another child. If there is an injury, clean the area with soap and water. If the bite is deep or bleeding, seek medical help.
Step 3: If necessary, comfort the biting child. Young children are often unaware of the bite. It's okay to comfort a child who may be upset about hurting someone. However, if he bites to draw attention, try not to reinforce this negative behavior.
Step 4: Provide an alternative. When everything has calmed down, it is recommended to replace the bite, such as using words such as "no", "enough" and "that's mine" when the child wants to communicate with others.
Step 5: Redirect. At this age, distracted children can perform miracles. If emotions and energy are very strong, or if your child is bored, help him shift his attention to more active activities, such as dancing to music, drawing, or playing games.
In general, discipline is not needed because most children are unaware of the hurt of biting.
If you tried the steps above and the behavior didn't stop, it might work to have your child pause for a while. Older children can be taken to a special place, such as a kitchen chair or the first step on the stairs, and stay there for a minute or two to calm themselves down.
As a general rule, the time for repentance should be one minute per year. Shorter pauses may be effective, but longer pauses don't do any good, and if a child gets up before you tell him the pause is over, it can sometimes backfire.
Create a "no bite" environment
Whether you think your child's biting habits have progressed or continue to exist, it's important to build a culture of zero tolerance at home, in nurseries, and elsewhere.
Here are some ways to get your child back on track:
Consistent. Always enforce the "no bite" rule.
Use active reinforcements. Instead of rewarding negative behavior with attention, take the time to praise your child's good behavior. This can help prevent your child from biting.
Plan things in advance. If young children know what to expect in new or high-energy situations, they may feel more comfortable and don't need to bite. If a bite occurs in a nursery, tell your child what will happen before you arrive. If the larger, more chaotic environment seems to overwhelm your child, you may want to move them to a smaller space.
Look for alternatives. As your child's language skills develop, you can help him find better ways to express negative emotions. For example, having children "use their words" when they feel frustrated or frustrated can help them calm down. If you need help, a doctor, psychologist, or behavior specialist can discuss with you how to teach your child to deal with strong emotions and express feelings in a healthy way.
When to ask for help
Although bites are common in infants and young children, they should disappear by about 3 or 4 years of age. Excessive biting, biting seems to get worse than better, and other hostile behaviors can be signs that you need help.
If you are concerned about your child's behavior, discuss with your pediatrician to determine the cause and how to deal with the problem.