Bite Down on Your Toddler’s Biting Habit
Around one and three years of age, a toddler will frequently begin to bite others. 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’s probably 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 likely finds it amusing when mommy jumps straight up, or a little friend starts 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? Sometimes the problem is something as simple as hunger.
What means can you use to help your child learn 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. 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. 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.
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. Mommy will get hurt if you bite her, and I know that you don’t want to make mommy sad.” 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 is true of all behavior that you do not want to see repeated. Let your toddler know, firmly yet gently, that biting is not permitted, that it’s wrong and that it hurts everyone, grownup or child.
Visit Toddlers Now for more great tips on raising a little one.
