Biting

Children prone to biting often have a high oral need. The best way to proactively respond to biting is to increase the child’s biting access in appropriate ways. Chewy foods (bagels, fruit leather), spicy foods (sausage), hot and cold foods (soup, smoothies) all increase oral sensation, decreasing the need to seek oral input inappropriately.

Like hitting, biting is often an immature way of communicating “I need space”. In this regard, teach space setting through role playing and practice.

Finally, designate one biting object/toy and offer it when the child bites.