Understanding and Preventing BITING
Biting is one of the most stressful behaviors caregivers encounter with toddlers. It can happen suddenly, leaving teachers trying to comfort children, manage parents' concerns, and prevent it from happening again.
Understanding why biting happens is the first step toward preventing it.
When Biting Happens in Childcare
happens quickly
teachers are supervising multiple children
parents may become upset
it can repeat if patterns aren't identified
Why Toddlers Bite
6–14 Months: Often teething or sensory exploration.
15–36 Months: Usually communication of emotions (anger, frustration) or seeking attention.
After 3–4 Years: Biting often indicates difficulty with self-control, intense emotional struggles, or a need for specialized behavioral support. Possibly delay and sensory need can play a role.
• Limited language skills
• Frustration
• Sensory needs or teething
• Crowded environments
• Difficulty waiting or sharing
Why Biting Is Challenging …
Why this is hard!
Biting incidents create stress for teachers, children, and families.
• Safety concerns for children
• Emotional reactions from parents & providers
• Repeated incidents with the same child
• Pressure from licensing or administration
Biggest Struggles from Providers:
“How the parent reactions.”
“Figuring out a way to talk to parents in a way to not make them feel ashamed or like it’s their fault for their child biting”
“It’s a phase of learning time for a child and parents need to be more understanding about the learning process.”
“Responding to the incident because you have the child that bites, the child that got bit, and the other children who are watching these behaviors.”
“very frustrating”
“The child biting. I had to take her everywhere I went, to the bathroom, when I was preparing meals, etc”
Biggest Struggles from Parents:
“guilt for thinking that you are doing something wrong in your parenting. fear of being judged by others because your child bit but then also processing it As what's going on to cause my child to do this?”
“the biggest struggle with a parent is understanding of why they are biting and why they keep doing it.”
Prevention Strategies for Providers
1. Watch for patterns
Use observation to identify triggers.
2. Increase supervision during high-risk times
Transitions, crowded play, and toy conflicts.
3. Teach simple communication skills
Help toddlers learn simple words or gestures.
4. Offer sensory alternatives
Chew toys, crunchy snacks, oral sensory tools.
5. Prepare children for transitions
Tips for Parents
Free Resources & Handouts
Parent Education Handout
Free. Click below.
Immediate Response Plan
Biting Action & Prevention Toolkit
Developmental exploration: Young children use mouths to explore and learn.
Communication: Biting can signal unmet needs—hunger, tiredness, or frustration—especially when language is limited.
Sensory needs: Some children seek oral input or react to strong sensory experiences.
Emotional regulation: Overwhelm, anxiety, or anger can lead to impulsive biting.
Attention or imitation: Children may bite to get a reaction or because they observed it elsewhere.