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. 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 problem could even be as simple 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.
As an example, "When you need to tell mommy that you need some help, you can't bite." Or “Show mommy what you need, but don’t bite. You’ll hurt her if you bite, and I know you would never want to hurt mommy." This may bring a cloak of shame of what they are about to do and they may think their actions over again before actually biting.
Parents should not let biting become the center of attention. This will be true for any type of behavior that you want to discourage. Let your toddler know, firmly yet gently, that biting is not permitted, that it's wrong and that it hurts everyone, grownup or child.
Visit Toddlers Now for more great tips on raising a little one.
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