How can you ethically & nonabusively teach preschoolers not to bite?

Question

I work with babies 0--3 in an Early Intervention program & am often asked this by parents.

Answer 1

I tell my daycare children if bitting is present, that we don't bite our friends, we only bite apples, bananas, cookies...etc. That eliminates bitting altogether. It directs them to what our teeth is used for. Not on our friends/family

Answer 2

Most experts hold that biting is normal Toddler behavior. The general consensus appears to be to praise a child when it does not bite. I would suggest finding a story book about dogs that bite and bark or even writing a short story with pictures. Sitting the children down every week and reading this story to them. In the story, the biting dog can perhaps become isolated, ignored, feared by other dogs when the incorrect behavior occurs and finally the story might end with the dog behaving correctly.The conclusion of the story can end with the dog being rewarded by fellow dogs with hugs, friendship and a cake when he stops biting and barking. I think making the story about dogs shows biting preschoolers that biting is a bad behavior that one usually expects in misbehaving dogs and not humans. It also helps in the indirect, gentle approach of instruction in child behavior.
Children learn from story picture books best because they are an indirect and effective way of teaching good behavior and social skills. Stories can be useful for children aged between 1-3 years of age. Pacifiers can lessen the strength of the jaw of biting babies. The jaw gets exercise and babies soon tire of it all after teething.

Answer 3

Maybe explain that biting is a common behavior in most toddlers and increases when a child is tired or frustrated. Explain to them that they shouldn't overreact when it happens. Tell them that they have to teach their child that it is unacceptable behavior. You could give them these steps:
Some steps to take when your child bites include:

Immediately look him in the eye and give him a loud and firm 'NO.' You may also move him to another area for a time out. Let him know that it is never all right to bite another person because it hurts.
Supervise your child closely when he is with other children, so that you can distract him or interrupt any behavior that may lead to biting.
It is important to not overreact and never bite your child back. Biting him back or physical punishment will just reinforce that it is okay to hurt others.
Give him lots of praise when he controls himself and doesn't bite.
It is a good sign that these parents want to discipline in a healthy way. Most uneducated parents will just bite them back thinking it is okay and they wonder why their child is aggressive or insecure.
I didn't have a problem in the childcare setting with pre-schoolers biting, it was usually toddlers where I worked.

Answer 4

At first when my child would bite, he would get bit back. That was not the answer, as soon as he would bite someone he would hold out his hand to be bit. Then we tried a little pepper, and the same thing happened. As soon as he would bite someone he would open his mouth for the pepper. It became very clear to me that the way we taught not to bite was not going to work with him. What actually did work is when he got bit from another child. When he came running over and I had found out what had happened, I consoled him and then I pointed out that is exactly what it feels like to someone else when you bite them. You don't like it I said and neither do they. I didn't have anymore trouble after that. If they can understand, you might want to remind them of how it feels to get bit. If that is not applicable then I can only tell you what doesn't work. Good luck

Answer 5

Remind the child to use words, WE DO NOT BITE, then tell the child it HURTS. if the child has already bit someone, and the bit child is crying, show the bitter how sad the bit child is. As if the biter would feel if someone bit HIM. Remind him that he needs to use his teeth on food, not friends. Have him help the child he bit by putting a cold pack on the bit area. Make him responsible for his actions.

Answer 6

young ones chunk for most diverse motives. some chunk to work out what's going to ensue, others chunk because they're offended and don't comprehend the thanks to precise it any incorrect way, some chunk because they're teething and some chunk purely to chunk. You brother isn't the first youngster to get kicked out of preschool, even if that is something you should resign. you want to decide why he's biting and make effective he knows of different strategies to attend to what he's dealing with. that is going to also remember how previous he's. If he's in preschool then he's previous adequate to carry close that isn't any longer ok.

Answer 7

My son was a biter. I constantly encouraged him to "use his words". I had read that once children can verbally express frustration, they stop biting. This did work for my son, although it was not immediate. I had to teach him how to say emotions, for example, "I am mad". Once he could identify his feelings and share them with others, he stopped biting.

Answer 8

redirect if they catch the child before the biting event redirct and of course if it happens I know that I show my daughter the owie that she leaves on her brother she has to kiss it and give him a hug