Biting

As with any behavior, how biting is dealt with depends upon the ages of the children involved, the reason for the biting (if it can be determined), frequency of the biting and many other specific circumstances. General guidelines for biting include:

• Helping the bitten child feel better or providing appropriate first aid, if warranted.
• Completing an ouch report for the parent of the bitten child.
• Discussing the situation with the biter's parent.

Depending on the ages and circumstances involved, additional actions might include:

• Discussing a better solution with all children involved.
• Separation of involved children.
• Showing/giving the biter something appropriate to bite. (teething ring).
• Ensuring that the environment provides enough challenging activities.
• Carefully observing the involved child to identify precipitating events and prevent recurrences.
• Maintaining a log to track when the behavior occurs.
• Conferences with parents to discuss the child’s actions at home, parental discipline techniques, search for outside resources, etc.

Just as any other behavior issue regarding a child is confidential, the name of the child that has bitten is also confidential, in order to ensure the privacy of the child and family and prevent bias from others enrolled in the center. We will keep you informed as to what steps are being taken and if bites are from the same or a different child. Informative handouts are given to parents regarding biting.

Children who bite three times in the same day will be sent home.