Tip of the Week- Biting

Understanding Why Children and Infants Bite: Causes and Prevention Strategies

Biting is a common behaviour among infants and young children, particularly in group settings like Early Years Settings. While this behaviour can be concerning and challenging for early years educators and parents, it’s important to understand the underlying causes, and psychology behind why children bite, and address them appropriately.

This week’s Tip of the Week explores the reasons why children bite, the psychological and developmental theories behind biting, and offers strategies to help deter this behaviour in Early Years settings.

Why Do Children and Infants Bite?

Developmental Exploration

– Sensory Exploration: Infants and toddlers explore their world using all their senses, including their mouths. Biting can be a way for them to learn about objects and people, similar to how they touch or taste things.

– Teething: For infants, teething is a significant factor. The discomfort and pain of emerging teeth can lead to biting to soothe their gums.

2. Communication and Expression

– Limited Verbal Skills: Young children often lack the language skills to express their needs, desires, or frustrations. Biting may be a way to communicate emotions like anger, frustration, or excitement when a child cannot communicate the above effectively.

– Attention-Seeking: Some children bite to gain attention, even if it’s negative.

3. Emotional Responses

– Frustration and Anger: Biting can occur in response to overwhelming emotions. When a child is frustrated or angry and does not know how to handle those feelings, they may bite as an outlet.

– Stress and Anxiety: Changes in routine, separation from parents, or new environments can cause stress, leading to biting as a coping mechanism.

4. Social Interaction

– Imitation: Children learn by observing others. If they see another child biting or engaging in aggressive behaviour, they may imitate it without understanding the consequences.

– Territoriality: In group settings, children may bite to defend their personal space or possessions, especially if they feel another child is encroaching on their territory, or taking a toy that they feel is theirs.

Theories Behind Biting Behaviour

1. Psychoanalytic Theory

– Sigmund Freud suggested that biting during infancy could be linked to the oral stage of development, where infants find pleasure and comfort through oral activities such as sucking and biting. According to this theory, biting could be a form of gratification during this stage.

2. Behavioural Theory

– B. F. Skinner’s behavioural theory emphasizes that behaviours, including biting, can be reinforced by the consequences they produce. If a child bites and receives attention, even negative attention, they might repeat the behaviour because it is being reinforced.

3. Social Learning Theory

– Albert Bandura’s social learning theory highlights the role of observation and imitation in behaviour. If a child observes peers biting or sees biting as an effective way to get what they want, they may imitate that behaviour.

4. Attachment Theory

– John Bowlby’s attachment theory suggests that children’s behaviours, including biting, can be influenced by their attachment relationships. Insecure attachment or anxiety related to separation from primary caregivers might manifest as biting in social settings like crèches.

Strategies to Deter Biting in Crèches

1. Proactive Supervision

– Close Monitoring: Caregivers should closely observe children, especially those known to bite. Early intervention can prevent biting before it occurs.

– Predict and Redirect: Recognising the triggers that lead to biting (e.g., crowded spaces, toy disputes) allows caregivers to intervene proactively by redirecting the child’s attention or removing the trigger.

2. Promote Communication

– Teach Alternative Communication: Encourage children to use words, gestures, or sign language to express their needs and feelings. Teaching phrases like “I’m angry” or “I need space” can reduce the likelihood of biting.

– Model Positive Behaviour: Demonstrate and reinforce positive ways to handle frustration and interact with peers, such as using words to ask for a turn with a toy.

3. Provide Comfort for Teething

– Teething Toys: Offer appropriate teething toys or cold items that can help soothe a child’s gums, reducing the need to bite others. Ensure these items are risk assessed and age and state appropriate.

– Regular Breaks: For infants, regular breaks for chewing on teething rings can help alleviate discomfort that might otherwise lead to biting.

4. Create a Calm Environment

– Reduce Stressors: A calm and structured environment with predictable routines can help reduce stress and anxiety, which are common triggers for biting.

– Small Group Activities: Engage children in small group activities where they can receive more focused attention from caregivers, minimising competition, and frustration.

– Consistent and Calm Responses

– Immediate, Non-Punitive Response: When biting occurs, respond immediately but calmly. Firmly say “No biting. Biting hurts,” and remove the child from the situation to allow them to calm down, whilst ensuring the bitten child receives the necessary first aid, care and attention they require.

– Teach Empathy: Help the child who is biting to understand the impact of their actions by encouraging them to comfort the child they bit, thus encouraging empathy and social awareness.

6. Positive Reinforcement

– Praise Good Behaviour: Reinforce good behaviour with praise and positive attention. Acknowledging when a child uses words or gentle touches instead of biting can encourage them to continue these behaviours.

– Reward Systems: For older toddlers, a simple reward system for good behaviour, can be effective in reducing biting incidents.

7. Parental Involvement

– Communicate with Parents: Work closely with parents to understand the child’s behaviour at home and maintain consistency in strategies between the early years setting and the home environment.

– Provide Resources: Offer parents resources and tips on how to discourage and avoid biting at home, ensuring a unified approach.

 Conclusion

Biting is a natural but challenging behaviour in young children, often linked to their developmental stage and limited communication skills. Understanding the reasons behind biting and applying appropriate strategies can help deter this behaviour, creating a safe and more positive environment in both the home and the Early Years setting. With patience, consistency, and proactive measures, Early Years Educators can guide children towards healthier ways of expressing their needs and emotions.

For more information on biting, join our: Understanding and Responding to Biting webinar, with Nicola Erasmus, on September 30th. Bookings are available here: 

https://www.canavanbyrne.ie/training/detail/understanding-and-responding-to-biting