That “B” Word… Biting

Handling Behavioral Issues in Child Care Settings

Janet BlairPerry County Health Department

Objectives Explore the relationship between child

develpoment, aggressive behavior and biting

List the “types” of biters Identify strategies used with each

type of biter Develop an action plan Identify strategies to effectively

communicate with parents

Did you know…

1 out of every 10 toddlers and two-year-olds bite!!!

Introduction

Biting is not “abnormal” but can be upsetting for teachers and parents

When children age 3 and older bite, it may be reflective of some other type of behavioral problem

Principles of Child Growth and Development

Children explore their world by putting everything into their mouth

Young children learn best by using all five senses

Developmental theorists suggest that biting may be a form of exploration/communication

Very young children have not yet developed the concept of “sharing”

Behavior Issues

Toddlers are trying to figure out “who” they are

Aggressive behavior may be just a stage

From about 3-5 there should be a drop in aggressive beahvior

Strategies for Handling Biting Behavior

Help Children understand and express feelings

Encourage language and communication Provide toys that are cause and effect Use redirection Be proactive! Have information in your

parent handbook about the developmental aspects of aggressive behaviors and biting

Types of Biters

Experimental Biter Frustrated Biter Threatened Biter Power Biter Teething Biter Social Biter Imitative Biter

Activity

Experimental Biter May simply want to touch, smell, taste other

people in order to learn more about their world

Strategies:

Offer a variety of surfaces to play on and a colorful selection of toys to stimulate children during this stage of exploration

May be motivated by teething pain; Offer appropriate things to chew on for relief- frozen bagels, teething biscuits, safe teething ring, etc.

Frustrated Biter Some biters lack the skills to cope with situations such as

the desire for an adult’s attention or another child’s toy. The child may not have intended to hurt another child

Strategies:

Tend to the victim immediately Explain to the biter that biting hurts Have the biter help the victim (do not make a game of this) Help them develop language skills. Watch for signs of rising frustration

Threatened Biter Some children may feel they are in danger and bite in self-

defense. They may be overwhelmed by their surroundings and bite a

means of regaining control. The child may feel threatened by situations such as divorce,

death, mom returning to work

Strategies: Assure the child that he/she is safe Additional nurturing Inquire about stressful situations at home

The Power Biter Some children experience a strong need

for autonomy and control. As soon as they see the response they get from biting, the behavior becomes strongly reinforced.

Strategies: Give the child attention when they are not biting Give the biter choices throughout the day and

reinforce positive social behavior Child may need to be referred to counseling if

biting/aggressive behavior continues

The Teething Biter

Infants and toddlers may experience discomfort when teething. The natural response by the child is to apply pressure to the gums by biting on things

The Social Biter

Many times, an infant or toddler bites when trying to interact with another child. This age child has not yet developed the social skills to indicate “Hi, I want to play with you.”

The Imitative Biter

Imitation is one of the ways children learn. It is not uncommon for a child to bite after he/she has observed this behavior.

Developmental Scenarios that may contribute to biting

Teething Difficulty getting along with others

Social interactions

Imitation Attention seeking behavior

What to do When Biting Occurs

Infants do not understand the difference between biting a toy and biting a person

Never, ever, BITE BACK!!! It communicates to the child that biting

(violence) is acceptable

What to do When Biting Occurs

Have children age two and over assist the first aid process. Teacher needs to demonstrate “gentle touches”.

Stress Communication skills. Help children learn new words and learn to express their feelings

Say “No” in a firm voice

What to do When Biting Occurs

Analyze your environment: Is it crowded? Are there enough toys? Are the children receiving enough

attention? Are the children well supervised? Are children hungry or sleepy prior to

lunch or nap time?

What is Really Happening?Developing a Biting Log

Where did the incident happen?

1st incident 2nd incident 3rd incident

Who was involved? What triggered the behavior?

When did the incident happen?Time/activity

Action taken

Why do you think the biting may be happening?

Other: Does the child bite himself/others?

Develop an Action PlanSample

Date Strategies Who Budget Completed

3/12 1. Teacher will review current literature on biting.

Teacher(s)

2. A biting incident log must be kept in every classroom

Teachers

3. Review curriculum for sensory activities and materials available

Director

4. Review language activities

Interventions

“Shadow the Biter” Have duplicate materials Provide a variety of options and

sensory motor choices Adjust nap time if necessary Strengthen the sense of security and

stability in the environment Maintain a consistent routine

Interventions

Use redirection Analyze your environment – space,

toys, etc. “Catch” them being well behaved Use positive/negative reinforcement Behavior modification

For The Child Who Is Bitten

Comfort the child Cleanse the wound/provide ice pack if

necessary Use reassuring words

Provider Strategies

Create warm/cozy places Avoid unnecessary staffing changes Develop and maintain group rituals Have noise absorbing material in the

classroom Provide cause and effect toys and

open ended toys Teach appropriate ways of control

Communicating with the Parents

Notify Parents in writing (incident report) Classroom meetings Review biting log Ask information about the home

Is the child biting/being bitten at home? Determine which type of biter the child may be Develop/discuss action plan Stress confidentiality Notify parents about HIPPA

Communication with the Parents of a Bitten Child

Notify parent in writing (Incident report) NEVER release name of biter Notify parents about HIPPA BE sympathetic, not apologetic! Discuss general action plan with parents Stress confidentiality

In Summary

Explore relationships between child development and biting

Be familiar with the types of biters Use strategies for each type of biter Develop an action plan when needed Effectively communicate with parents Document!

Resources Healthy Kids, Healthy Care: Biting and Other Aggressive

Behaviors http://www.healthykids.us/chapters/biting_main.htm  (Has even

MORE resources within this page.  Great website for parents!) Dealing with Biting Behaviors in Young (Early Childhood and

Parenting ECAP-Collaborative)  http://ceep.crc.uiuc.edu/poptopics/biting.html  This report

discusses (1) why young children bite, (2) how common biting problems are, (3) what interventions might be considered, and (4) how teachers or caregivers can interact with and involve parents in dealing with biting behavior.

Fact Sheet for Families: Biting (California Childcare Health Program) http://www.ucsfchildcarehealth.org/pdfs/factsheets/bitingen011804.pdf

Resources AAP Fact Sheet – Biting http://www.ecels-healthychildcarepa.org/content/FS-

biting.pdf (American Academy of Pediatrics)

Biters: Why They Do It and What to Do About It http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content3/biters.p.t.4.html (National Association for the Education of Young Children)

A Bite in the Playroom: Managing Human Bites in Day Care Settings http://www.cps.ca/english/statements/ID/id98-01.htm (Canadian Paediatric Society)