Why do some toddlers bite other children? How can child care providers prevent biting before it happens?

Biting is common among very young children, particularly in group settings such as child care. It is very important for child care providers to understand why children bite so that they can help children find more appropriate ways to express themselves.

There are many reasons why young children bite. Here are some of the most common ones:

  • Children may be trying to express their independence and feel a sense of personal control.
  • Babies’ mouths are sore when teething; biting feels

Tips for Preventing Repeated Biting in Child Care Programs

Smiling baby
Biting is one of the most frustrating behaviors facing child care providers. Unfortunately, there’s not a simple solution to stop all biting. The two keys to preventing future biting are to observe carefully and to plan for prevention.

Observing Biting Behaviors

If a child begins biting others, observe that child carefully. When and under what circumstances does biting occur? Who is the child biting? How does the biter react when the child they have bitten becomes upset? Is biting worse …