1. Perry County Health Department
That “B” Word… Biting
Handling Behavioral Issues in Child Care Settings
Janet Blair
Perry County Health Department

2. 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

3. Did you know…
1 out of every 10 toddlers and two-year-olds bite!!!

4. 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

5. 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”

6. 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

7. 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

8. Types of Biters Experimental Biter Frustrated Biter Threatened Biter
Power Biter
Teething Biter
Social Biter
Imitative Biter

9. Activity

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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.”

16. 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.

17. Developmental Scenarios that may contribute to biting
Teething
Difficulty getting along with others
Social interactions
Imitation
Attention seeking behavior

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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?

21. 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?

22. Develop an Action Plan Sample
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

23. 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

24. Interventions Use redirection
Analyze your environment – space, toys, etc.
“Catch” them being well behaved
Use positive/negative reinforcement
Behavior modification

25. For The Child Who Is Bitten
Comfort the child
Cleanse the wound/provide ice pack if necessary
Use reassuring words

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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!

31. Resources
Healthy Kids, Healthy Care: Biting and Other Aggressive Behaviors
(Has even MORE resources within this page.  Great website for parents!)
Dealing with Biting Behaviors in Young (Early Childhood and Parenting ECAP-Collaborative) 
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)

32. Resources AAP Fact Sheet – Biting
(American Academy of Pediatrics)
Biters: Why They Do It and What to Do About It Association for the Education of Young Children)
A Bite in the Playroom: Managing Human Bites in Day Care Settings Paediatric Society)