How to Stop Your Child's Biting Habit
A growing child is truly a work in progress. Children at their very early years normally develop several habits that are inappropriate. These habits maybe annoying as in thumb sucking, destructive as in temper tantrums and dangerous, as is the case of biting.
If you have a pet dog, you may probably have observed that there are times when the dog inevitably bites anything that comes it way. From simple objects, to slippers, to small furniture, the dog will surely have its way to make those objects its outlet of outrage.
In children, especially the toddlers to preschoolers, the same also may happen. Be aware that children are learning a lot and at a rapid pace about the environment. Thus, as they learn, they recognize their own limitation.
The limitation to effectively communicate what he usually feels or desires is the major cause of disappointment, frustration and anger among young children.
Alas, these kids could not appropriately say the words, so they manifest their feelings through action instead. Thus, some children develop the habit of biting.
The habit of biting
Children tend to bite anything that comes their way from simple objects to other people. Yes, some kids tend to bite other kids, which make the habit very dangerous.
Experts claim that biting may occur at toddlers to preschoolers. It is at the age range of about 18 months to 3 years that most children who develop the habit manifest it.
In some cases, even infants, especially those aged at least six months tend to bite, and this habit is indicated when the infant, who must be teething by that age, starts biting the nipple of the breastfeeding mom.
Reported cases also show that most children with the biting habit show off their biting abnormality at kids' social functions, like a play session, a party or at daycare classes.
Take note that during these times, the child is with other children. The biting must then be a product of frustration and annoyance with other kids. Usually, some kids bite other kids who bully them around. By that, the biting habit becomes somehow a defense mechanism.
Helping the child outgrow the biting habit
Experts assert that the biting habit usually, and should, recede by the time the child reaches the age of four. Biting is just one of those unusual habits developed by the child, who is struggling very hard to cope with the environment.
Psychologists say that unusual habits of children, like biting, occur when the child aims to get attention or aims to get something they want. Thus, when the child learns to express himself freely through words, he ceases the need to use annoying acts to express his feelings.
But if you want to help your child overcome the habit because you are becoming too embarrassed whenever he bites other people or kids, then you must take into consideration the following simple tips.
· Be sure to point out to your kid that the behavior he is exhibiting is not normal, not appropriate and not acceptable. Be firm whenever you tell that to your child.
· Never resort to spanking or physically punishing the child whenever he bites. Doing so will only aggravate the situation and would likely result in adverse effects, like your child will start feeling rebellious.
· Usually, children bite when they become agitated or too tired so try to avoid leading him to tedious and annoying activities.
· Set a good example. You are teaching good deeds to your child so be the first example yourself. Do not show the child that it is all right to be violent. He knows that biting is a form of violence because he can see that it hurts other people.
· When a child tends to bite his brother or sister, normally, that child is seeking for your attention. Whenever he does that, get him loose, then approach and hug the child he bit. That way, your child will realize that the habit is only pushing you away from him and into other children, a thought that he will surely shrug off immediately.
· If the infant bites during breastfeeding session, stop for a few minutes. That will help instill in the infant that what he did is not right.
If these measures fail to gain results, perhaps it is time to seek professional help because the problem may aggravate and linger in the child until he grows up.
It is normal for children to develop the biting habit. It is only a matter of time and proper handling before he realizes that the act is not appropriate.
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