Does your toddler bite?

                                                          Does you toddler bite?
                                                                            

In light of the recent biting episode by Suarez on the football pitch it got me thinking about the reasons toddlers bite and ways to deal with it.

Reasons for biting

• Frustration
• Expressing emotion
• Experimenting with how their body works.
• Means of defence
• Method of control                              

So you have had that mortifying experience of apologizing to another parent for your child biting. Is there anything you can do to stop it happening again
What can you do?
Firstly after a calm down try and analyse the situation which caused them to bite.
      What to do

• Intervene: Keep a close eye on your child and act before they get the chance to bite.If you see a situation developing distract their attention or simply remove them to a place of safety. Plan in advance for their behavior.” Children often clench their teeth before they bite – an unmistakable sign. Take the child somewhere quiet to calm down. If a teething child is trying out his or her teeth, find toys to chew and chomp on.
• Teach them it’s wrong: When your child bites explain that it is wrong and that it hurts.
• Teach them to express themselves: When things have calmed down, try to help your child find a  way to express their feelings.A hug is a better way to express emotion than a bite.
• Reduce the effectiveness: When children bite to gain attention, dealing with it is trickier. After the first big talking to, don’t try to continue to reason or explain. Give a firm “no”. “Put your body between victim and biter and turn your back on the biter.Give lots of time to the victim reinforcing to your child that biting is not the best way to get your attention.
• Praise them for good behavior:When your child is playing nicely be sure to offer positive praise.It's all to easy to just enjoy a rare moments peace but in the long run it is worth the effort.