Raising kids has it’s joys but there is always some bad with everything good. And biting is one of those things that most Naperville parents would rather not have to deal with but often don’t have a choice.
Yes, around one and three years of age, a toddler will frequently begin to bite others. And believe it or not, this really is a normal phase of toddler development.
The most frequent cause of this behavior is that there are only so many ways a toddler can communicate with those around him. Not all children are biters, however. Some of them shove, hit, pinch or grab. 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.
It can seem funny for a young toddler to see his mommy suddenly bolt upright or for one of her playmates to begin crying. 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.
What are the ways in which your child can learn that biting is wrong?
It has to be completely understood that biting is bad behavior and can hurt others. Let them know how much pain the other kids feel when your toddler 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 think that your little one is biting out of frustration, help your toddler find another way to communicate that they’re having a hard time. Even though teaching English seems to be a monumental task at this time, most toddlers can be taught words that are right for certain situations.
For example…
“You need to tell mommy or daddy that you need help and not bite us.”
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.
As parents, you shouldn’t let biting become a big issue. This is true of all behavior that you don’t want to see repeated. Gently but firmly tell the toddler that there is no biting allowed, that it’s wrong and that it hurts all sorts of people – both big and small.
Only in extreme cases should you seek out professional help for a toddler with a biting problem but do seek an expert in child development if the problem does persist.
