Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Help I have a biter

    Posted 09-30-2019 02:19 PM
    I need suggestions on how to handle a biter. I feel terrible having to continually report that a child has been bit again ( the same 2 kids, both 2 years old). As a side note these kids are foster kids in my care, but I run a family child care home. Some have suggested getting a chew stick or necklace, but I do not feel like the child would understand that she is to use it in place of biting.  She has a necklace and throws it at me. Also she is not biting for sensory input as far as I can tell. She is biting because she is mad. Suggestions are appreciated! Thanks in advance.

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    Jamie Jenkins
    Winslow IN
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  • 2.  RE: Help I have a biter

    Posted 09-30-2019 05:22 PM
    Hello,

    Relax, please try to figure out the trigger point, what time, when and with whom....it happens. Assess and analyze - how you can prevent, intervene, or give a choice or remove one of the child from the scenario.
    Also at this age action comes faster than words...so we need to give them words - if they can say AND/OR have more choices of toys that might be the cause OR keep one of them with you all the time.  Talk about getting hurt and how it feels - accept/validate their feelings and attend to the hurt one first.
    It can also be teething - I give them little wet small towels to chew on --(they take any shape in their mouth).
    If tired/anxious/hungry -- please work with them...
    Hope you can help them so that you are not anxious ...give it some time..this behavior can be a passing phase also.


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    Jagruti Patel
    Owner/Provider
    Patel Family Child Care
    Redlands CA
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  • 3.  RE: Help I have a biter

    Posted 09-30-2019 05:28 PM
      |   view attached
    Hers is an article....

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    Jagruti Patel
    Owner/Provider
    Patel Family Child Care
    Redlands CA
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    Attachment(s)

    pdf
    Back pack -Biting.pdf   510 KB 1 version


  • 4.  RE: Help I have a biter

    Posted 10-02-2019 08:16 AM
    Not too long ago we did have a biter in the two year old class.  Anytime a child gets hurt we are required to complete a report and have the parent sign, etc.  I went through a stack of those to see what time it happened and who was involved.  It helped tremendously because I could see a time pattern and we could change things from there.  It did solve the biting.  I also told teachers if one particular child is doing all the biting, which it sounds like is happening there, then that child can not be out of arms reach.  If you change diapers, then that child has to be right there, with a toy or book while they are waiting.  Getting them to talk to the person they are mad at is helpful too.  I get frustrated with adults saying "use your words".  We have to coach them with what to say.  We can teach them to say, stop, or no at the very least.  Then add on to that, I don't like it when you take that, etc.  If they are in a foster situation chances are they have experienced trauma and nothing in their life is in their control.  We need to help them gain some control with words instead of biting.  
    Hope this helps some.  It can be so frustrating.


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    Teri Smith
    Director
    St. James Episcopal School
    Hendersonvlle NC

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  • 5.  RE: Help I have a biter

    Posted 10-02-2019 08:53 AM
    Thank you for your suggestions.  It is really hard because the little one is non-verbal and so I tell her/give her words, but it will be a long time before she will actually be able to use her words to communicate her frustration. It is also frustrating that the one who gets bit is the one who brought the idea of biting into the home.  It feels terrible to have to explain that a child was bit AGAIN.  The last incident happened over the girls fighting over who sat in which highchair for snack.  I was on my way over to the highchairs and just didn't get there fast enough. The other child has been stopped 2+ times from biting the "biter" ( and not when the "biter" was trying to bite). I need more structure in my home/daycare for sure, but I am just starting out and I was really not thinking about having 4-2 year olds. I am looking for engaging play-based activities that will keep their interests, so any suggestions in that area is also appreciated.

    Thanks again everyone!


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    Jamie Jenkins
    Winslow IN
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  • 6.  RE: Help I have a biter

    Posted 10-03-2019 08:15 AM
    I have had biters in my infant room and in toddler rooms over the years and have tried many different things to help with the biting.
    If your child is non verbal and just learning words you can use baby sign to help with communication.
    Make a teething necklace for them to bite and chew on. But some thin baby ankle socks and fill with cotton batting and sew up the open end for something soft to bite on. Mainly of course keeping redirecting the child or distracting them fro the biting if you can get to them before the bite. Showing and telling them teeth are not for biting they are for.... That is not a choice; you can have this or this but we are not hurting our friends..

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    Lisa Hunsicker
    Director
    Cradles of Clay County
    Clay City IN
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