BITING POLICY

     Our Program recognizes that biting is, unfortunately, not unexpected when toddlers are in group care.  We are always upset when children are bitten in our program, and we recognize how upsetting it is for parents.  While we feel that biting is never the right thing for toddlers to do, we know that they bite for a variety of reason.  Most of these reasons are not related to behavior problems.  Our program, then, does not focus on punishment for the biting, but on effective techniques that address the specific reasons for the biting.  When biting occurs, we have three main responses:

1. Care for and help the child who was bitten.
2. Help the child who bit learn other behavior.
3. Work with the child & Parents who bit and examine our program to stop the biting.

     Our teachers express strong disapproval of biting.  They work to keep children safe and to help the child who bit learn different, more appropriate behavior.  When there are episodes of ongoing biting, we develop a plan of specific strategies, techniques, and timelines to address it.  We do not and will not use any response that harms a child or is know to be ineffective.

     We give immediate attention and, if necessary, first aid to children who are bitten.  We offer to put ice on the bite if the child is willing.  If the skin is broken, we clean the wound with soap and water.  If children are bitten on the top of the hands and the skin is broken, we recommend that they be seen by their health care provider.

     When children bite, their parents are informed personally and privately the same day.  When children are bitten, their parents are informed personally that day and given a copy of our incident report form.  When we experience ongoing biting in a toddler room, we develop a plan of action with stratigies, techniques, and timelines to work on the problem.

     Biting is always documented on our standard incident report form.  It is completed and signed by the teacher and administrator.  It must also be signed by the parent.  One copy is given to the parents, and the other copy is kept in the incident report book in the Office.  We keep the name of the child who bit confidential.  This is to avoid labeling and to give our teachers the opportunity to use their time and energy to work on stopping the biting.

     Training sessions and workshops on biting are given during the year as needed for parents and teachers.  In addition, we have current resources on biting available to the parents and the teachers.  We encourage parents to bring their concerns and frustrations directly to the teachers.  The administration is kept informed of the problems and will work with the parents and teachers to help bring the biting under control.  Communication is very important in order to help children learn not to bite!

Adapted from "No Biting" by Gretchen Kinnell

Let's consider the implications of these questions. 

"What would you do if the child that was biting is yours?"

"Should children be 'kicked out' of the program if they bite too many times?"

     Would you want your child to be kicked out or would you like for us to work with you and your child to help your child learn what is appropriate behavior?  If a child is kicked out-who will take the time to teach them how to interact appropriately with their peers?

A program that kicks a child out for biting is indicating that it either doesn't know enough to work on the problem or is unwilling to work on the problem-or both.

When we do the hard work of acquiring knowledge, developing skills, and deciding our motivation will be to provide the best for children, our program becomes stronger and more appropriate for children and families.  When we excues ourselves from doing this, our program becomes weaker. 

When we approach parents about the fact that their child is biting, we ask them to work with us to help their child learn to stop biting.  If parents are unwilling to work with us or don't take the problem seriously, only then would we suggest that they may have to find another Center.  But if the parents of the biter and the parents of the victim are willing to go the distance, we can work hard to correct the behavior.

How do we try to prevent Biting and what is our response when it occurs?

     Biting is, unfortunatley, not unexpected in toddler groups but it can bring on a very emotionally charged response from everyone envolved.  There are many reasons toddlers may bite.  Sometimes the biting is related to teething.  Sometimes toddlers bite to express feelings they can't express with words yet.  We have seen children bite when they are frustrated, and we have seen them bite in the excitement of a happy moment.  No one can predict which children will bite, but we are ready to help toddlers who do bite learn other behavior.  We are also ready to give treatment, sympathy, and advice to children who are bitten.  Here are the ways we work to prevent biting and how we respond to it when it does happen.

1. We try to program the day to avoid boredom, frustration, overstimulation.  We try to provide a calm and cheerful atmosphere with a mix of stimulating and soothing, age appropriate activities and enough age appropriate toys.  We also work to model acceptable and appropriate behaviors for the children, helping them learn words to express their feelings and giving them tools to resolve conflicts with our help.
2. If a bite does occur, we help the child who was bitten.  We reassure him or her and care for the bite.  If the skin is not broken, we use a cold pack.  If the skin is broken, we follow medical advice and clean the bite with soap and water.  If it is likely that the bite may get dirty, we will also cover it to keep it clean.  If your child is bitten, we will call you to let you know about the bite.  The teachers fill out an incident report, have it signed by our administrators, keep a copy, and give one to you when you pick up your child.  We also respond to the child who did the biting.  We show the child strong disapproval of biting.  Our specific response varies depending on the circumstances, but our basic message is that biting is the wrong thing to do.  We help the child who bit learn a different , more appropriate behavior, and we let the parents know that there is a problem so that we can work together to solve it.  We begin to teach the biter empathy and sometimes have the biter help us take care of the child that was bitten.
3. The teachers and administration try to analyze the cause of ongoing biting.  We work to develop a plan to address the cause of the biting, and we put all our energy into keeping children safe and helping children who are stuck in biting patterns.  When we need to develop such a plan, we share the details with parents involved so they know specifically how we are addressing the problem.
4. Parents are notified if their child starts to bite.  We ask parents to keep us informed if their child is biting at home.  Children who bite in our program do not necessarily bite at home.  But if your child is biting both places, it is important for all of us to be consistent in dealing with it.  Communication is very important in order to help your child stop biting.

We wish we could guarantee that biting will never happen in our program, but we know there is no such guarantee.  You can count on us to deal appropriately with biting so that it will end as quickly as possible.  We will support your children whether they bit or are bitten.  We want the best for all the children in our program.  If you want more information on biting or have any questions, or concerns, please let us know.