How to Deal With Biting in Preschool

Pay attention to triggers that may cause a child to bite, such as another child grabbing his toy.

A young child often deals with frustration by biting. This is not a healthy behavior, but young children have a hard time expressing complex emotions such as anger. If a preschool child bites another, you must remain calm. You can deal with the biting by disciplining and teaching appropriate behavior.

Instructions

1. Stop the biting immediately. Tell the child that biting is not acceptable. Take him away from the child he is biting. Tell him that he is never allowed to bite another person. You can even say something like, "You can bite an apple, not another person."

2. Give the child a time out. You must remove her from the situation. Sit her in a chair away from the other kids. Make her sit for two or three minutes. If she is crying, tell her she can't get up until she calms down.

3. Bring the biter to the other child and let the biter see you comfort the child. If there's a bite mark, show him. The biter needs to see the effect of his biting and realize that he hurt someone.

4. Make the biter accountable for his actions by apologizing. Tell her to say "I'm sorry" to the child she bit.

5. Teach the biter ways to express his anger. Tell the biter that you realize he may be angry because the other child took his toy. Explain that he can walk away or stomp his feet but he is never allowed to bite another person. Teach him phrases such as, "Please don't take my toy."

Tips & Warnings

• Never yell or get physical with a child who bites.

• Praise the child when you see him behaving well with other children. Point out something positive such as him sharing a toy with another child.

References

• Dr. Lawrence Kutner, Ph.D.: Insight for Parents: Toddlers and Preschoolers Who Bite
• Center for Effective Parenting: Biting
• "Parenting"; 6 Solutions for Kids that Bite; Maura Rhodes
• BabyCenter: Aggression, Hitting and Biting
• Baby Center; How Can I Stop My Child from Biting Other Kids at Preschool?; Patricia Henderson Shimm