Oh My Goodness! I Just Found Out My Child Is a Biter – What Now?

Discovering that your child has bitten another child at childcare or preschool can be a shock for many parents. You may feel embarrassed, worried, or even frustrated—wondering why it happened and what you can do to stop it. But here’s the good news: biting is a common behaviour in young children, especially in toddlers and preschoolers, and it doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with your child.

At Little Scribblers, we understand that biting can be a challenging phase for both families and educators. The most important thing is to address the behaviour calmly, support your child’s emotional development, and work closely with your childcare centre to find solutions.

Here’s what you need to know about why children bite, how to handle it, and what steps to take.

Why do young children bite?

Biting is a normal developmental stage, particularly in toddlers aged 1–3 years. Young children don’t always have the words or emotional regulation skills to express themselves, so biting can be their way of communicating a need or frustration. Some common reasons why children bite include:

1. Teething pain

• If your child is cutting new teeth, biting may help relieve discomfort.
• Providing teething toys or cold washcloths can help.

2. Frustration or overstimulation

• Young children often lack the verbal skills to express frustration, anger, or excitement.
• Teaching them simple words like “I need space” or “I feel upset” can help.

3. Seeking attention

• Some children bite because they want a reaction—even if it’s negative.
• Praising positive behaviour can help shift their focus.

4. Copying behaviour

• If children see others bite (even in play), they may mimic the behaviour without understanding the consequences.
• Helping them learn gentle ways to interact is key.

5. Difficulty with impulse control

• Toddlers and young preschoolers are still developing self-control and may act on impulses before thinking.
• Gentle reminders and consistent boundaries can support better decision-making.

What to do if your child is biting at childcare or preschool

If you’ve been told that your child has bitten another child at daycare or preschool, don’t panic! Here are five steps to help address and manage the behaviour.

1. Stay calm and avoid overreacting

• It’s natural to feel upset, but reacting with anger or punishment won’t help.
• Keep in mind that biting is a phase, not a reflection of bad parenting.

2. Work closely with your childcare centre

• Talk to the educators at your child’s childcare or preschool to understand the circumstances around the biting incidents.
• Discuss strategies to help prevent biting (e.g., identifying triggers, redirecting behaviour).
• Ask how they handle biting at the centre—at Little Scribblers, we use positive behaviour guidance and support children in learning new ways to express themselves.

3. Teach alternative ways to communicate

• If your child bites out of frustration, help them practice using words or gestures instead.
• Encourage them to say “I don’t like that” or “Can I have a turn next?” rather than resorting to biting.

4. Reinforce positive behaviour

• Praise your child when they use gentle hands, share, or express emotions verbally.
• Instead of focusing only on the biting, reinforce what they did well during playtime.

5. Provide sensory and emotional outlets

• If your child bites to explore textures, offer chewable sensory toys.
• If they bite due to big emotions, teach deep breathing, hugging a teddy, or using a calm-down corner.

How families and childcare centres can work together to stop biting

Consistency is key when addressing biting. Families and early childhood educators should work together to create a supportive environment that encourages positive social skills. Here’s how you can collaborate with your childcare provider:

• Open communication – Keep in touch with educators about your child’s progress and any changes at home that may affect behaviour.
• Shared strategies– Use similar language and techniques at home that your child’s teachers use at the centre.
• Regular check-ins – If biting persists, arrange a meeting with your centre to review new strategies and monitor improvements.
• Encourage social play at home – Arrange playdates to help your child practice interacting with peers in different settings.

At Little Scribblers, our educators work closely with families to support positive behaviour development and help children navigate social interactions in a nurturing, understanding way.

Will my child grow out of biting?

Yes! The majority of children naturally outgrow biting as they develop better communication, emotional regulation, and impulse control. With gentle guidance, patience, and support, biting will become less frequent and eventually stop altogether.

If biting persists beyond the toddler years or becomes aggressive, it may be helpful to seek advice from an early childhood specialist to explore additional support options.

Final thoughts: you’re not alone!

If your child is going through a biting phase, know that you’re not alone. Many parents experience this, and with the right approach, it will pass.

At Little Scribblers, we are committed to helping children develop healthy communication and social skills in a safe, supportive learning environment. Our educators work alongside families to ensure that every child is given the tools they need to express themselves in positive ways.

💡 Looking for a childcare centre that supports your child’s social and emotional development?

Enquire today to learn how we nurture children’s growth through play-based learning and positive behaviour guidance.