One behavior of children most adults consider being inappropriate is biting. Webster dictionary defines biting as causing sharp pain or stinging discomfort to. Zero to Three National Center for infants, toddlers, and families gives many reasons as to why a child may bite. Lack of language skills, overwhelmed by sounds, experimenting, and teething are leading reasons children tend to bite. There are also a number of remedies or approaches to help a child with the problem of biting. The first approach/step is keeping your feelings in check. ZTNC explains when a toddler bites; feeling frustrated, infuriated, annoyed, embarrassed, and/or worried is expected. The staff of the center later goes on to say responding when you are in an emotional
…show more content…
Often when a child bites, adults pay a lot of attention to him or her. Paying attention to the child to him or her could be very negative causing the behavior to continue, rather than stop. When adults shift their focus and energy to the child who was bitten, they clearly communicate that biting does not result in more attention. (ZTNC 2014) Showing concern and sympathy for the child who was bitten also teaches empathy. A third approach is helping the children move on. ZTNC gives this example, “ask: What would you like to play now?” It might help to offer activities, like play-dough, drawing, or playing in sand or water, that allow them to release energy in constructive ways and can help them relax. (ZTNC 2014) The child who bit and the child who was hurt should not be made to play with one another, unless they want to. Shortening activities or giving the child a break can help prevent the rising frustration that can lead to biting ZTNC uses an approach to use a firm, matter-of-fact voice. Without yelling or being angry say, “NO BITING. BITING HURTS.” Is goes on to say to comment on how the other child is feeling: Look, Madison is crying. She is crying because you bit her. Biting hurts. Keep it short, simple and clear. Help the child express frustration in other
Often when a child bites, adults pay a lot of attention to him or her. Paying attention to the child to him or her could be very negative causing the behavior to continue, rather than stop. When adults shift their focus and energy to the child who was bitten, they clearly communicate that biting does not result in more attention. (ZTNC 2014) Showing concern and sympathy for the child who was bitten also teaches empathy. A third approach is helping the children move on. ZTNC gives this example, “ask: What would you like to play now?” It might help to offer activities, like play-dough, drawing, or playing in sand or water, that allow them to release energy in constructive ways and can help them relax. (ZTNC 2014) The child who bit and the child who was hurt should not be made to play with one another, unless they want to. Shortening activities or giving the child a break can help prevent the rising frustration that can lead to biting ZTNC uses an approach to use a firm, matter-of-fact voice. Without yelling or being angry say, “NO BITING. BITING HURTS.” Is goes on to say to comment on how the other child is feeling: Look, Madison is crying. She is crying because you bit her. Biting hurts. Keep it short, simple and clear. Help the child express frustration in other