Steps to Stop Toddler Biting in its Tracks
Biting is a common habit for toddlers to pick up during this stage in childhood. Whether your toddler is biting at daycare, biting at home, or just biting randomly, you can work to stop toddling biting in its tracks. As soon as you notice your toddler is biting, it’s time to use our parenting tips to stop this behavior.
Many parents are looking for toddler biting behavior modification tips, and that’s why we wanted to share our professional tips to help you handle this situation appropriately. It’s best to remember that toddler biting is a form of communication. Toddlers are still learning how to use their words and will learn quickly that biting gets the attention of their parents or childcare providers.
Reasons Why a Toddler Might Bite
· Express a strong emotion.
· Get their parents' attention.
· Testing how a person reacts.
· Feeling overtired or overstimulated.
· Have a need for oral stimulation or are teething.
Nonverbal toddlers may bite more frequently as they have even fewer language skills to express their emotions and thoughts. While biting is pretty common among toddlers, it can’t be accepted as a normal form of communication.
Steps to Stop Toddler Biting in its Tracks
Do Not Bite Back
Years ago parenting books would have you bite your toddler back. This response will more than likely make your toddler think that biting is acceptable. After all, you’re the child’s first role model and if you’re biting them back then they might think this is normal behavior. It’s best to give your toddler a firm vocal cue immediately after they bite someone. A simple and firm “no biting” sentence, will suffice.
Plan with Childcare Provider
If your toddler is biting at daycare then you’ll need to discuss options with your childcare provider or preschool teacher. With most toddlers attending digital preschool these days, this may not be something you encounter. However, if you have a childcare provider expressing concern about your toddler biting at daycare then meet and make a plan to curb this behavior immediately.
Distract Your Toddler
After you’ve given your toddler a firm “no biting” response try to distract your toddler with something else. If your toddler has been biting people at daycare, you might want to get a wrist teething bracelet so your toddler can start using that whenever they feel the need to bite. Use your resources to distract your toddler with a book, toys, or provide alternative safer options to release their need to bite.
Talk About Emotions
You must figure out why your toddler is biting at home and biting at daycare. While your toddler doesn’t have the best language skills at this age, you can sit down to discuss big emotions. Ask your toddler some questions, or try to empathize with their feelings so they can open up and realize that everyone feels big emotions. Try to share other ways they can respond when they feel this way.
Invest in Children’s Books
Lastly, another way to help your toddler understand more about their urge to bite people is to invest in children’s books that discuss biting. Toddlers’ minds are like a sponge at this age. You can attend a digital preschool where they have lessons about toddler biting and children’s stories to help your toddler visualize why biting is harmful and how they can work to withhold the urge to bite others.
When it comes to parenting you have to keep your emotions in check during difficult parenting situations, such as when your toddler is biting. Do not respond to your toddler’s biting when you’re extremely upset, rather calm yourself before you respond and discuss the situation. How you respond to your toddler after they’ve bitten someone will make all the difference in the world.