Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Supporting those who get bit

    Posted 08-21-2018 07:14 AM
    Biting is a common issue in child care. Recently we have had more little ones with SPD and anxiety that increases behaviors that are challenging. 
    What happens when one child seems to be the recipient of most of the bites in a young toddler room.  Of 8 children, it seems that one has been bitten by 3 at least a dozen times within a 10 month period.  The children who have more biting incidents as the "biter" have been assessed and are receiving appropriate services.   
    What do you do for the child who keeps getting bit? I wonder how much of it is a teacher and environment issue? Of course the parents are upset as their child has been bit so often. Assumptions are made that it is only a "biter" problem.
    Would like to hear the thoughts and perspectives of others....

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    Mary
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  • 2.  RE: Supporting those who get bit

    Posted 08-22-2018 08:05 AM
    I would say documenting each incident to see if a pattern emerges would be your first step. I taught in a toddler room many years back and we found the biting happened most often during diaper changing times. A simple solution was for a director to step in while one teacher changed diapers. That greatly reduced the number of times the children bit. 
    Write down who bit whom (these records are just for your center staff), what time it was. Write down what happened right before and right after. Then look to see if there is a pattern. Does a certain child always bite before lunch? Is another child getting bit because they intrude on anorhan child's personal space/takes a toy/knocks down a tower? Or is the biting occurring similarly to my problem, where one teacher is busy and not able to watch all of the other children?

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    Heather Finnegan
    Preschool Teacher
    Our Redeemer Lutheran Church with School
    Delavan WI
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  • 3.  RE: Supporting those who get bit

    Posted 08-22-2018 09:55 AM
    https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/understanding-and-responding-children-who-bite

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    Nancy Little
    Palma Ceia Presbyt Preschl
    Tampa FL
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  • 4.  RE: Supporting those who get bit

    Posted 08-22-2018 10:07 AM
    In addition to what others have said, I would say that the child who has been bitten should be empowered to stand up for themselves.  I would encourage that child to use his/her words to tell the biter something like, "I don't like it when you bite me.  It hurts."  I would also have the biters help to care for the bitten child based on what the bitten child needs/requests to feel better - retrieving an ice pack, being present for the application of a band-aid, giving a hug, etc.  And perhaps engage in a problem solving session with the children about what they can do when they/a friend are frustrated next time. 


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    Sherrie Rose Mayle
    Director/Teacher
    Campbell Parents' Participation Preschool
    Campbell, CA
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  • 5.  RE: Supporting those who get bit

    Posted 08-22-2018 11:03 AM
    This is an interesting question.  You state that one particular child seems to be getting bit the most.  It sounds like the children who are doing the biting are being assessed for their behavior, but has anyone watched what this particular child is doing that puts that child in harms way?  Is this child taking materials from others or doing things to put him/herself in harms way?  If so, teaching that child better behaviors will decrease the likelihood of getting bit.  Make more observations to determine what is truly going on to cause the biters to choose this one child.



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    Pam Maughmer
    Basehor KS
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  • 6.  RE: Supporting those who get bit

    Posted 08-22-2018 11:26 AM
    The person who solves the "biting problem" among toddlers should get a Nobel Peace prize!  But until then we need as many and varied strategies as there are children,,,

    We found that beginning to teach "baby signs" (simplified sign language for very young children) was effective in reducing frustration for the children and led to a reduction in biting incidents, since often preverbal children bite out of frustratjon in not being able to communicate.  Baby signs were studied by UC Davis and there is a simple picture book called "Baby Signs" (what else?!) that teachers can use.  The original "sign" is waving BYE-BYE.  This sign is recognized and encouraged by the community, even by those who are not familiar with sign language.  A second sign that is popular with children, especially at meal time is "MORE" - touching fingers together in front of the chest repeatedly.  The STOP sign, two  hands pushing out, palms forward, and NO, left hand palm up, right hand slamming down on it vertically, little finger first are well used and easily understood.  DIAPER, hands patting the diaper area, is also useful. Access to this form of communication gives children a sense of agency and control.  

    The babies give up sign language when verbal language takes over, but in groups where children speak many home languages, it continues to be a useful way for everyone to learn a common language.  Of course the inventive 4 year olds may use it out of the teacher's line of sight to communicate ideas without too much adult participation in them. Aren't there are always the unintended consequences?

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    Gay Macdonald
    Los Angeles CA
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  • 7.  RE: Supporting those who get bit

    Posted 08-23-2018 02:25 PM

    Not trying to be a jerk here; I'm contributing to the "educational atmosphere".
    (I must have been an English teacher in a former life.)

    I often bite my tongue (but not today)
    I bit my tongue yesterday 
    My arm was bitten...
    My son got (has been) bitten...
    Those who get (are) bitten...

     



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    Vicki Knauerhase M.Ed.
    Child Development Specialist (retired)
    Weston OH
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  • 8.  RE: Supporting those who get bit

    Posted 08-24-2018 09:02 AM
    This is a constant battle in any toddler classroom, and as someone above said, whoever solves it DOES deserve a Nobel prize!

    I agree with everything that others have said- document, look for patterns & triggers, get help (extra staff or services), etc. 

    What I didn't see addressed as much was your question about supporting the child who got bit.  Both of my own children were 'the biters' in their toddler stage, and in return both have had their share of bites inflicted upon them.  As a toddler teacher in my former life and now as a director, this is something I've worked with for many years.  I highly recommend teaching children how to stand up for themselves and expressing emotions- and not just in the moment.  At circle time, play time, centers, etc- talk with children about sharing, asking for space, what personal space is, and it's ok to say 'no'. 
    • No, you don't have to give the toy to your friend this second, but when your done please share. 
    • A friend is in your space?  Tell them "No, I don't like you being that close"
    • A friend is hurting you? say "no-that hurts"
    It's important to teach and model these skills early, often and before it's needed in play.  

    After teaching these skills, and you see a particular child is still getting hurt more frequently than peers, observe that child a little closer.  We had a child a few years ago who gravitated toward the biter and often chose to play with the bitter and was bit more just because they were together more.  Earlier this week, we had a child get bit twice in an hour because he would wait for the teachers (there were 2 of them, engaged with the group and next to him) to turn and help another child, then shove his hands in a friends face and the child bit him in self defense.  In one case, we couldn't really figure out why one girl was getting bit more frequently, so we were able to move her to a different classroom and the biting stopped. 

    I didn't see anyone else mention this, but I love using books and stories to help teach young children.  There's a great book that I recommend to parents all the time called "Teeth are not for biting" -it's part of the Better Behaviors series (which are all great).  It's about $5 on amazon.  It uses simple phrases and pictures and helps children identify what teeth can bite (apples, food...) and what they shouldn't bite.  If you have toddlers, I highly recommend this book be in your classroom library and read frequently.

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    Sharon Bligh
    Spencerport NY
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