Biting in the toddler room: a policy and a plan

In the moment

1. Step in between the two children straight away.
2. Stay calm. Don't yell or give a long talk.
3. Say it short and firm: "No biting people. Biting hurts." Show how the other child feels: "You hurt him, he's crying."
4. Care for the child who was bitten first.

Head Start's biting fact sheet gives first aid for a bite that breaks the skin: wash it with soap and warm water, take the usual precautions if there is bleeding, and put an ice pack or cool cloth on it. It suggests the child be seen by a health care provider if the skin is broken or there are signs of infection (redness or swelling). Follow your program's own first-aid and health policy too.

Telling both families

Write an incident report the same day: the time, where it happened, what you saw and what you did. Tell the family of the bitten child and the family of the child who bit, each about their own child. Don't name the other child: families often ask, and your policy is the reason you give.

Today at 10:20, during block play, another child bit Sam on the arm. The skin wasn't broken. We washed it, held a cool cloth on it, and he was back playing in a few minutes. We're watching the block corner closely this week.

Find the pattern

Children bite for different reasons, so watch when it happens. A week of notes (the time, the place, who was near, what happened just before) usually shows a pattern: the same corner, the hour before lunch, one favorite toy, a child who is teething.

• Teething or exploring: cold teething toys, safe chewy foods, plenty to touch and taste.
• Crowding or a favorite toy: two of the toy everyone wants, fewer children in that corner at once, a grown-up beside that spot.
• Frustration and no words yet: say the words for them ("you're mad he took the truck") and teach a few: "stop", "mine", "my turn".
• Tired or hungry: look at the schedule; move snack or nap earlier.
• A big change at home: extra warmth and a steady routine.

The policy, for your handbook

Put a short version in your family handbook, so families read it before it happens:

• Biting is common at this age, and we respond to it every time.
• We care for the child who was bitten first and give first aid.
• We tell both families the same day, each about their own child, and we don't name the other child.
• We write an incident report and keep it on file.
• We look for the pattern and change the room, the schedule or the supervision to prevent the next bite.
• If biting goes on for several weeks, we meet with the family to make a plan together.

Head Start's fact sheet says to seek professional help if biting goes on over several weeks or a child doesn't seem to care about the consequences, and that it is unusual for a 3- to 5-year-old to keep biting. Check your state's licensing rules on incident reports and on ending care before you write that part.