biters

[Lyndsey]

I have a four-year-old niece who has gotten into the habit of biting other kids. This has made her so unpopular at daycare that they have told my cousin (her mother) that they do not want her child back next year. Can daycares refuse children because of problems like these, and what can we do about her biting?

[atula]

it must be difficult because kids really do not realise at such a young age that they are doing something wrong. You can try to punish her in a way by not giving her the things she likes like her favorite toys or games or snacks when she bites again...
Maybe you can tell her stories of kids who use to hit others and then they had no friends....Daycares can actually ask children to leave if they know that other parents will complain about the issue...

[SageMother]

IF the daycare doesn't get Federal funds, it can refuse any child.

The biting is such a dangerous problem that the daycare is justified in protecting itself from lawsuits, and the other children from harm.

[Laughingmouse]

Originally Posted by Lyndsey

I have a four-year-old niece who has gotten into the habit of biting other kids. This has made her so unpopular at daycare that they have told my cousin (her mother) that they do not want her child back next year. Can daycares refuse children because of problems like these, and what can we do about her biting?

It seems like a four year old should be past the biting stage.

Don't kids do that when they are around two with it ending around three as their language skills get better?

[humorris]

It is a difficult situation, as at that age they don't realizer they are doing wrong. Maybe get advice from the parent of the child concerned.

[SageMother]

Originally Posted by humorris

It is a difficult situation, as at that age they don't realizer they are doing wrong. Maybe get advice from the parent of the child concerned.

A four year old is old enough to sit in the corner or to sit through a time out for bad behavior, meaning they are old enough to know that biting is wrong.

[Lyndsey]

Originally Posted by SageMother

A four year old is old enough to sit in the corner or to sit through a time out for bad behavior, meaning they are old enough to know that biting is wrong.

I agree. I have the impression she knows perfectly well it's wrong, and my cousin has started giving her time out for it at home whne she does it with her play mates. I have the impression she liked the fuss it caused, but time out is boring so she is losing interest - or growing up.

[tater03]

Neither one of my sons was a biter. But my son did attend a daycare where there was a child that was a biter. They ended up having to have the child leave because no matter what they tried she would not quit biting. I wish I could tell you how to stop this from happening but neither one of my sons was a biter. Hopefully she will realize that this is just not something that will make others happy and stop the behavior with out to much trouble.

[atula]

you might try ignoring her completely when she again bites...this may lead her to get out of the habit seeing that it does not draw your attention anymore.

[Laughingmouse]

Originally Posted by atula

you might try ignoring her completely when she again bites...this may lead her to get out of the habit seeing that it does not draw your attention anymore.

While I can see this working for less harmful habits, biting can cause serious damage to its victim. Something else to consider is what will happen when a bitten child reports being bitten, and no consequences for the assailant, to his or her parents.

That's too scary!