The biting solution: the expert's no-biting guide for parents, caregivers, and early childhood educators

Foreword

Acknowledgments

How to use this book

Adults' feelings and actions

Biting : a tremendous challenge

Responding to biting when it happens

Demystify misbehavior with the seven questions

Question 1: How much of the child's behavior is related to typical social/emotional development?

Question 2: What past experiences or recent changes may be creating stress?

Question 3: Is the lack of verbal skills causing frustration?

Question 4: Is the child's physical condition a contributing factor?

Question 5: What role does the child's temperament play in the behavior?

Question 6: What effect does the physical environment of the home or early childhood program have on the child?

Question 7: What kind of limit setting is the child experiencing, at home and with other caregivers or teachers?

Case studies

Ethan, 18 months old : biting games, body boundaries, and high energy

Sophia, 21 months old : bad habits, challenging temperament, and boring toys

Lukas, 22 months old : bottles, blame, and boredom

Abigail, 2 years old : divorce, negative attention, and family day care dynamics

Jayden, 3 years old : social inexperience, speech problems, and sibling issues

Create your own action plan

Create your action plan

Solving other hurtful behaviors with the seven questions

Appendix I: Temperament worksheet form

Action plan form

Injury report form

Incident report form : attempted but interrupted biting

Appendix II: Turn-taking tips

Appendix III: Sample starter phrases, active listening feeling phrases, and difficult feeling words

Appendix IV: no-biting quick pocket guide

Appendix V: lyrics to two songs that teach alternatives to biting

We don't put our teeth on people

Someone you love (the hug song)

Appendix VI: References

Index.