1-3 yrs · bita
My Child Bites Other Kids – Why It Happens and What To Do in the Moment
SReviewed by Sara · Montessori teacher
My child bites – why do they do it and what should I do when it happens?
Children who bite usually do so because they can't yet express their feelings in words. Some bite when emotions become overwhelming – whether from excitement, but most often from frustration.
What to do when a child has bitten another child:
- Clearly signal that the behaviour is not okay, using your voice or body language.
- Always tend to the child who was bitten first.
- Allow the child who bit to calm down.
- Then, depending on their age, talk with the child about what happened afterwards.
Prevention is just as important. Stay close to the child who bites, watch for warning signs that a bite might be coming, and give them a tool to help avoid the behaviour — for example, moving away when friends are too close, or stepping in yourself to redirect the situation before it escalates. This approach is especially relevant for younger children, around 1–2 years old.
Remember: change rarely happens overnight — routines need practice, and all feelings are allowed even when a behaviour needs a kind limit. Follow the child, prepare the environment, and let the child do it themselves.
