Ah, the joys of parenting! Who needs coffee to keep you up when you have a toddler who’s suddenly developed a taste for, well, everything? From furniture to friends, it seems like nothing is off-limits for those tiny teeth. But fear not, biting is a normal part of toddlerhood, and with the right strategies, you can help your little ones express themselves without leaving a trail of bite marks.
We’ve gathered wisdom from four early educators, from across Tennessee, who have seen it all. Read on to learn why toddlers bite (hint: it’s not because they’re secretly vampires) and how to gently guide them toward more peaceful ways of communicating. Whether your toddler is a curious nibbler or a frustrated chomper, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive into the world of toddler biting together!
Tips and Strategies to help your little learner stop biting: Michelle Millican Educator at Hickerson Elementary in Tullahoma, TN, Michelle teaches Pre-k.
Teach Emotional Expression
1) Help your child label their feelings and find appropriate ways to express them. 2) Use books and visuals to teach emotions. 3) Model phrases like “I’m mad” or “I need a turn” to replace biting with words. Many times I’ll role play scenarios with my teaching assistant/parent. 4) Utilize assistance from your pediatrician, school counselors and school social workers.
Offer Alternatives to Biting
1) Encourage children to use a stress ball, chew necklace, crunchy snacks or deep breaths when upset. 2) Create a calm-down area with soft pillows, sensory bottles, and emotion charts. 3) Teach gentle touch by having children practice giving high-fives or pats instead of biting. 4) Include the occupational therapist / pediatrician in brainstorming sensory alternatives.
Reinforce Positive Social Skills
1) Praise children when they use words instead of biting (e.g., “I love how you asked for a turn!”). 2) Model turn-taking and problem-solving in small group activities and with teaching assistant/parent. 3) Role-play situations where a child wants a toy and practices asking instead of biting.
Supervise and Redirect Early Signs
1) Observe children closely and step in when frustration builds. 2) Use gentle reminders: “I see you’re mad. 3) Let’s use our words.” 4) Redirect the child to another activity before biting occurs. Honor the child’s personal space if possible.
Strengthen Communication Skills
1) Teach simple phrases like “Help me” or “My turn.” 2) Use sign language for key words (e.g., “stop,” “help,” “more”). 3) Encourage parallel play before expecting full social interactions.
Maintain a Consistent Routine
1) Use visual schedules and transition warnings to reduce anxiety. 2) Offer choices to empower children (e.g., “Do you want the red or blue block?”). 3) Keep mealtimes, naptimes, and playtimes consistent to prevent overstimulation
Consider potential medical concerns: Victoria Jackson Educator at Headstart in Gallatin, TN, Victoria teaches children 4 months-3 years
“Biting is a common behavior in toddlers. It is a developmentally appropriate way for them to explore their world and learn about cause and effect. One reason biting may occur is if the child is experiencing any inner ear problems, like an ear infection. Ear infections cause a lot of pressure to build up in the middle ear, and biting helps to relieve that pressure. As a teacher, when I have a child that starts biting, I tell their parents to first get their ears checked. In my experience, this is the number one cause.
“Biting is a common behavior in toddlers. It is a developmentally appropriate way for them to explore their world and learn about cause and effect. One reason biting may occur is if the child is experiencing any inner ear problems, like an ear infection. Ear infections cause a lot of pressure to build up in the middle ear, and biting helps to relieve that pressure. As a teacher, when I have a child that starts biting, I tell their parents to first get their ears checked. In my experience, this is the number one cause.
However, some children bite for other reasons, like seeking sensory input/output, wanting to gain control of a situation with one of their peers, or sometimes just because they can. In any case there may be some triggers that parents can identify before the child bites. What makes your child bite? Is it frustration, hunger, or teething? Teach your child alternative ways to express their feelings. Help them say “I’m angry” or “I’m hungry”. Provide your child with plenty of chew toys. This will give them something to bite on that is safe. Teachers can work with the child’s parents to develop a plan to help the child stop biting.”
Investigate the cause of the biting: Tanya Howard Educator at Smithville Elementary in Smithville, TN, Tanya teaches kindergarten
When biting has occurred in the past I always try to comfort the victim and tell the biter that biting is hurtful and teeth are used for chewing and smiling not for biting. I would allow the biter a calm place to cool down if needed ( in my room. I have a calm corner). When biting has occurred in the past I always try to comfort the victim and tell the biter that biting is hurtful and teeth are used for chewing and smiling not for biting. I would allow the biter a calm place to cool down if needed ( in my room. I have a calm corner).
Next, I would try to figure out the underlying cause of why that student is biting, are they teething, frustrated because they can not communicate their needs and wants, are they seeking attention from a peer or an adult, are they biting out of anger, is there a sensory issue. Then I would incorporate social emotional learning within our classroom . Reading stories such as: “Teeth Are Not for Biting” by Elizabeth Verdick, “Little Dino’s Don’t Bite” by Michael Dahl, and” No More Biting for Billy Goat” by Bernette Ford and Sam Williams also a social story specifically on the matter may help address biting. Last, I would model and practice ways to deal with a situation if it is frustration, not sharing ect. teach the child how to deal and handle these situations in an appropriate way. Always praise this child when you see them using their words, sharing, showing empathy and kindness to others.
Teach self-regulation: Eva Jenkins Educator at Hixson United Methodist Church Child Development Center in Hixon, TN, Eva teaches Pre-k
Parents, determine what proceeded the biting incident and deal with that “trigger”. You may wish to provide a safe, and satisfying teething toy. In my class I would treat biting as I do childhood anxiety whereby children self-regulate by hugging and rocking a lovey. Perhaps the child may be taught to learn what upsets him or her and then retrieve a teething toy from an accessible place. Biting is common in children less than three years old and can be controlled with guidance from calm, patient adult caregivers.
