Biting Among Children is Traumatic for Kids and Adults
Biting among young children with developmental speech and language delays is not uncommon. If your child is biting, you may worry about the injury he has caused, how to stop it, how to keep other children safe, and how to restore his social relationships. If your child is bitten, you may worry about the impact on his emotions, the physical dangers, and whether you can trust his teachers or daycare providers to keep him safe.
Why Children with Speech and Language Delays May Bite
While it is never acceptable to allow biting to continue, it is important to understand the possible reasons in order to stop it and prevent it from happening again.
Young children with speech and language delays may have difficulty expressing their thoughts and feelings as well as understanding what others say to them. This causes frustration and confusion that can lead to biting.
Biting may be the only way some children feel they can control their interactions with others. Biting can say, "Stop bothering me, I was playing with that, pay attention to me, I'm tired and need a nap" and many other things for the frustrated child. It is important to look for early signs of learning disabilities and language delays that can lead to biting and other problem behaviors.
Prevent Biting and Teach Appropriate Behavior:
- Refer children who have problems with speech and language development for evaluation. They may need speech and language therapy.
- Provide proper supervision. Adults should circulate among children in daycare rather than watching from a distance or talking with other adults on the sidelines.
- Be alert to children's disagreements, and intervene before they escalate into biting behavior.
- Model appropriate language. For example, if a child tries to take another child's toy, the teacher can pull him gently away and say, "Suzie says she's playing with it now. You can play with these toys." She can offer the child other alternatives. If he continues to try to take the toy, he may need to move to another play area.
- Continue to patiently model appropriate language and behavioral alternatives to biting. This can help the child cope with challenges until he develops the communication skills necessary to interact appropriately without assistance. This may take several months.
- Keep play areas neat, clean, and stocked with adequate high-interest toys and supplies for each child.
- Ensure adequate space for children to play without being crowded.
- Establish predictable routines, appropriate nutrition, time for physical play, and adequate nap time for their ages.
- Maintain a pleasant and peaceful atmosphere, and avoid over-stimulating children with rough play or inappropriate television programs.
- Ensure that all toys and play equipment allow caregivers to see what children are doing at all times.
When Biting Does Occur
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, biting can occur. Be prepared to address it before it happens:
