If you’ve ever picked up your child and heard the words, “There was a biting incident today,” your heart probably sank. Whether your child was the biter or the one who got bitten—it’s never easy to hear. But here’s the truth: biting is a common and developmentally normal behavior among young children, especially in a childcare setting.

At Little Angels Preschool, we understand how concerning this behavior can be for families. That’s why we want to give you insight into why it happens, how we handle it, and what we can do together to help children grow past this stage.

🤔 Why Do Children Bite?

Biting is most common between ages 12 months and 3 years and can happen for many different reasons. Young children may bite because:

• They lack the words to express frustration, excitement, or fear
• They are teething and need oral stimulation
• It’s a way to explore their environment
• They feel overwhelmed, tired, or overstimulated
• They are trying to get attention
• They’re responding to a conflict or crowded space
• They are imitating behavior they’ve seen

It’s important to remember that biting is rarely an act of intentional aggression—it’s often a form of communication before language skills are fully developed.

🛠️ What We Do When Biting Happens

At Little Angels Preschool, we take biting incidents seriously, but we also respond with calm, consistent care. Here’s how we approach it:

1. Immediate Response

• We separate the children to ensure safety.
• We comfort the child who was bitten and clean the area.
• We address the child who bit calmly and clearly: “Biting hurts. We use gentle hands.”

2. Observation & Documentation

• We record when, where, and why the incident may have happened.
• We look for patterns (Is the child tired? Hungry? Teething? Frustrated?).

3. Parent Communication

• Both sets of parents are notified with honesty, discretion, and support.
• We never reveal the identity of the other child involved to protect everyone’s privacy.

4. Behavior Support

• We guide the child who bites toward better communication: teaching them to use words, gentle touches, or ask for help.
• We may implement strategies like more sensory activities, redirection, or additional one-on-one support during high-risk times.

🏡 How Families Can Help at Home

We believe in a strong home-school partnership. Here are a few ways parents can help reinforce positive behavior at home:

• Talk about feelings with your child: happy, sad, mad, frustrated.
• Use books about biting (like Teeth Are Not for Biting) to start conversations.
• Offer teething toys if your child is still exploring with their mouth.
• Be consistent: If your child bites at home, respond the same way we do at school—calm, firm, and loving.

💬 Final Thoughts: It’s a Phase, Not a Character Flaw

Biting is tough, but it’s temporary. Most children outgrow it with the right support and guidance. It does not mean your child is “bad” or that you’re doing something wrong as a parent. At Little Angels Preschool, we see it as an opportunity to teach, guide, and help your child develop the tools they need to express themselves in healthier ways.

If you have questions, concerns, or just need reassurance, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always here to talk it through, work together, and support your child with love, patience, and understanding.

Together, we’ll get through the biting phase—one gentle step at a time.

Have questions? Contact our Center Director, Tiffany Hutchison, at (770) 968-8089.