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    She's Your Friend » Toddlers & Preschoolers

    Toddlers biting others...why?

    by Joanna Stephens Published: Aug 10, 2020 · Updated: Apr 18, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links. We earn commission from purchases made. ·

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    an image of a toddler who is frustrated with text overlay that reads how to successfully stop toddler biting
    an angry toddler with text overlay that reads is your toddler biting others what you need to know
    an image of a toddler who is frustrated with text overlay that reads how to successfully stop toddler biting

    Toddlers go through different phases, and one of those phases includes biting. 

    The main reasons is for attention, and because they don't know how to express their emotions.

    collage of toddler biting on apples and a toddler who is mad with text overlay that reads toddlers biting what you need to know find out why and how to stop it
    Jump to:
    • Why do toddlers bite?
    • How to stop toddler from biting when mad?
    • Biting at daycare: what parents should know
    • Books to help teach your toddlers to stop biting

    Why do toddlers bite?

    According to the American Pyschological Association, "biting is a normal behavior among children under 3 years old", but it's one that we as parents don't find socially acceptable. 

    Little toddlers can have big emotions, and don't always know how to express those emotions. That's where biting or hitting come into play. 

    Related: Toddler Hitting: How to stop it

    When your child is upset, they might not know how to react, so they react physically. This is super important to note, because this shows us how to help prevent biting.

    How to stop toddler from biting when mad?

    1. Teach them a better way to express their emotions.
    2. Have your toddler name their emotions.
    3. Learn the triggers.

    1. Teach them how to express their emotions in a better way.

    As a parent, it is your job to help them learn how to express their feelings without hurting others.

    Talk with your children in a calm tone and explain that if they are feeling frustrated or angry, to ask a grown up for help. Let them know that it's okay to be angry, but biting is not okay. 

    2. Have your toddler name their emotions.

    Young toddlers sometimes don't know what they are feeling. This means they don't know how to ask for help. Teaching the different emotions to your child can be a great way to improve communication. 

    3. Learn the triggers

    What is it that is triggering your toddler to bite? Is it when another child takes a toy away from them?

    Is it that they want some alone time, but keep being bothered by other kids? Or could it be because they are having some teething pain?

    Knowing the trigger can help you create better solutions that don't involve biting.

    Biting at daycare: what parents should know

    The main reason kids bite is for attention. No parent wants to receive the call that their child bit someone at daycare.

    If it happens too often, some daycares will no longer let them attend for the safety of the other kids.

    Talk with the staff and see if together you can all find a behavior management plan that will work.

    Books to help teach your toddlers to stop biting

    a book for kids called No Biting

    "No Biting" by Karen Katz

    Amazon

    This is a great book to help teach your kids what's okay to bite (like an apple) and what's not.

    a toddler board book called Little Dinos don't bite

    "Little Dinos Don't Bite" by Michael Dahl

    Amazon

    This is a great book to help teach your kids what's okay to bite (like an apple) and what's not.

    You might also enjoy reading:

    • Toddler Temper Tantrums
    • Disciplining in Public
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