Around one and three years of age, a toddler will frequently begin to bite others. Typically, this behavior develops because it is one of the few means of communication available to a toddler. However, not all children bite. Some grab, shove, pinch or punch. That's probably 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.
A toddler will laugh when mommy suddenly jumps and screams, or if one of his friends starts wailing. 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 cause might even be as basic as being hungry.
What are the ways in which your child can learn that biting is wrong? You need to communicate clearly that it's inappropriate and hurtful to bite. Let them know how much pain the other kids feel when your toddler bites them. Be sure to let your toddler know that biting is not allowed, that it's wrong, and that it makes you unhappy.
If you think that your little one is biting out of frustration, help your toddler find another way to communicate that they're having a hard 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 “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 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 will be true for any type of behavior that you want to discourage. 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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