Preventing Biting

In Practical Solutions to Practically Every Problem, Steffen Saifer observes, "Children who bite usually do so because they are frustrated or angry....  Some children bite because their language skills are not good enough to say what they want.  Teething can also be a cause of biting, but it is much less common.  Frustrations due to overcrowding... can lead to biting as well."  Saifer offers many prevention techniques including these...

• Make sure you have an ample supply of toys that are interesting to toddlers.
• Provide many ways for children to express their feelings and frustrations by providing toys to pound, nails to hammer, clay or Play-Doh to mold, sand and water play to experiment with, and bean bags to throw at a target.
• Provide ample time and space for gross-motor play outdoors.
• Provide a great deal of individual attention and affection.  Some children bite out of the frustration of feeling 'invisible.'

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