Between their first and third birthdays, most toddlers engage in some form of biting. The most frequent cause of this behavior is that there are only so many ways a toddler can communicate with those around him. But not all children have the biting habit. Some of them shove, hit, pinch or grab. That can be just as bad!
Also, toddlers sometimes start biting because their motor skills and ability to communicate are so restricted, that they have to express themselves somehow.
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 problem could even be as simple as being hungry.
How do you teach your child not to bite? It has to be completely understood that biting is bad behaviour and can hurt others. Point out how much pain it causes other children when your toddler bites them. Make sure you tell your toddler that biting is unacceptable and wrong and that mommy and daddy do not appreciate it.
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. 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 instance, "You have to let daddy know that you need something, but not by biting." Or “Show mommy what you need, but don’t bite. Mommy will get hurt if you bite her, and I know that you don't want to make mommy sad." This may bring a cloak of shame of what they are about to do and they may think their actions over again before actually biting.
As parents, you shouldn't let biting become a big issue. This is true of all behavior that you do not want to see repeated. 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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