What excellent suggestions have been proffered. Given my classroom experience I'd like to add just one more.
Before I do I'd like to remind that any challenging behaviors take time for us to handle. We have a choice about that time - to either implement strategies before to thwart the behavior or to take the required time after because of the afters. I always vote for being on the offense, for investing upfront and before.
Biting is among the most repugnant of behaviors, I think most will agree. It takes vigilance to be present to stop it before it happens. Young children bite for many reasons, most of which are related to not yet having the language and communication skills needed. The response to Bite One is usually huge. So, it is also rewarding to bite. This is where your data gathering to learn the precursor/s is valuable.
I suggest staying VERY close to the youngster who so needs our support in order to learn an otherwise. Frankly you're gonna have to stick close anyway to gather the data for determining what causes S to need to bite. Narrate what you see happening, model the language. If you are talking you can be the youngster's voice, saying what they need said. Also you can be smoothing the way for them. I'd even add give that youngster some preference for access and turns to reduce possible frustration. "Sweetie, it looks like you want to play with / have the ___ that HoneyBun is enjoying."
You'll get some sort of response to know if you are assessing what you are seeing correctly.
"You can ask Honeybun for a turn. You can ask HB if his turn is almost over or if he needs more time."
Pause. Give opportunity for Sweetie to speak and if that is beyond S's ability, you can ask if S would like you to ask for her or talk for him.
Once you know the anticipated duration for HB's turn, you can then give S some choices.
"Sweetie, HoneyBun isn't quite done yet. Would you like to play with -
offer an alternative -
while you wait? What else could you with while you wait? Would you simply like to stay here and wait until HB is finished?"
A redirect is not always necessary as frankly waiting is legitimate.
"HB, S is waiting for a turn. Don't forget you said you are almost finished and waiting is hard to do."
There is also redirection for HB so as to give S a preference as waiting may be a serious precursor.
"HB, would you like to -
pick something here you are pretty derned sure HB would like to do - and give S the ___ now?"
You have to know that when I give a suggestion it is something I have done, usually done often, so I do understand the investment of time, energy, and vigilance required.
If I were you I'd try every single thing suggested.
and I plead: PLEASE let us know what you learn and how it goes.
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Mary Wonderlick
co facilitator
At Risk & Special Needs Interest Forum
Chicago IL
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-16-2020 11:05 PM
From: Renee Grace
Subject: 2 year old biting suspended from school
I am in a unique situation, I am a preschool teacher and a mother of twins. One of my twins is a biter, and the directors have asked that he "take a break" from the program. In other words, he's suspended from school. And for good reason. He has bitten 19 times in the 6 weeks he has been in school. He has left bruises, and broken skin. One family has left the program, citing him as the reason. He bit someone on the face Monday over a toy.
He doesn't just bite at school either. He bites his twin, he bites me, older brother (9), dad, grandma ect. He bites both for frustration, and for affection. He bites for no apparent reason. He has literally taken a chunk out of his brother. He has bit me in his sleep.
I have been working on his biting problem since he first started showing aggressive behavior at 6 months. I have talked to his pediatrician. I have gotten referrals to specialists to help, both behavioral therapy and a child psychologist and I have done so much research. So much of my blood sweat, sanity, and tears have gone into this issue with his biting.
We have tried the conventional methods, get down on his level, use a firm voice to let him know biting hurts and it's not okay, offer a teething necklace, have him help the victim, have him shadowed (as best we can) in the classroom.
The directors want me to come up with a solution, and all of the literature I have read, and the specialists and doctors I have talked to all say that it takes time to break and redirect these behaviors. Time, consistency, and repetition. I have no magic fix for this. It's not something I can make better overnight.
Does anyone else have any suggestions? Is there anything else I can do? I'm so worried I'm going to loose my job because my kid has been expelled from school.
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Renee Grace
Teacher
Sacramento CA
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