Children, like adults, experience strong feelings of fear, anger, frustration, and guilt, but it can’t
be tolerated at any age. It isn’t safe, socially acceptable, or conducive to a positive environment.
Toddlers who have limited language skills or ways to express their feelings are most likely to bite.
Preschoolers may also bite occasionally. They often need more time to move between activities than
adults, and intense play such as tickling may overwhelm them and lead them to bite.
Children 2 years or younger may bite for any of these reasons:
- Their gums are sore and swollen and biting may feel good. This is called teething. Offer them a
soft toy, teething ring, or frozen juice bar as an alternative.
- Children may try many ways to gain attention and need to be taught acceptable social
interaction.
- If a child can’t express his feelings in language, he may bite.
- They may bite to protect their play space, or to defend against other children competing for
toys. Toddlers may not have the skills to say “no”
- Biting may occasionally be caused by stress caused by a move, divorce, or new sibling.
You can discourage biting by making sure there is plenty space and toys to go around. Keep
groups small and play times shorter. Increase the amount of adults watching them, and teach words
and/or phrases to express their feelings.
Adults must act immediately, calmly, and firmly when a child bites. Parents and caregivers can
help children who are frustrated by staying in control themselves. If possible, keep both children there
as you wash the bitten place with warm, soapy water to demonstrate the consequences of those
actions. Children may not know that biting hurts, so make sure they know that it will not be allowed.
Encourage the child to comfort the victim to demonstrate that gentleness and kindness are expected.
Biting a child to teach them that biting hurts sends the wrong message! It is never OK for
anyone to bite another person.
This information was summarized from the pamphlet “When a Child Bites” by the Children’s
Home Society of California, 2001. To receive additional CHS Family Education Program materials, please
call (213) 240-5900.