Biting

Biting is very common among kids between 18 months and 3 years old, often because they can't express themselves well with words and biting quickly gets a message across. Most biters stop, but here are some tips for the child who makes it a habit:

Try to find a pattern. Is it a certain location, time, person or situation?

In a stern voice say, "It is never OK to bite. Biting hurts. See, Ashley is crying. I cannot let you bite another person."

Allow the biter to see that the injured child is being helped and to assist in helping.

Ask the biter to apologize.

DO NOT bite the offending child to show that it hurts. This only models unwanted behavior.

Biting is usually not a sign of future behavior problems, but if your child continues biting after age 3, discuss it with your pediatrician.