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. But not all children have the biting habit. Some grab, shove, pinch or punch. This might be 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? Sometimes the problem is something as simple as hunger.
What means can you use to help your child learn not to bite? You need to communicate clearly that it's inappropriate and hurtful to bite. Point out how much pain it causes other children when your toddler 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 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. Even though teaching English seems to be a monumental task at this time, most toddlers can be taught words that are right for certain situations.
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.
As parents, you shouldn't let biting become a big issue. This is true of all behavior that you do not want to see repeated. 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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