Biting is a behavior that often raises questions and concerns among parents, educators, and caregivers. However, it is important to remember: even though it may seem alarming, biting is actually a relatively common behavior in very young children, especially under the age of three.
The good news is that when we understand why it happens and know how to respond, we can turn these situations into valuable learning opportunities, helping children develop the social and emotional skills that are so important for their growth.

Why Do Children Bite?
Biting is a form of communication for young children who still have limited verbal skills. Since they cannot always express emotions or complex needs with words, biting often emerges as a quick and effective way to get a message across.
It can happen for different reasons, including:

• Frustration and limited communication skills: when words are not available, children may bite to show anger, defend a toy, or express a strong feeling.
• Imitation and curiosity: some children bite because they have seen others do it, or simply to test what happens if they try.
• Developing social skills: biting can appear as children learn to interact with peers, explore boundaries, and experiment with new ways of relating.
• Lack of self-control: at this stage, children are still learning to manage impulses, and emotions often come out physically.
• Cause-and-effect exploration: many children bite to test action and reaction — “what happens if I do this?”.
• Physical discomfort: teething pain or general discomfort may also trigger biting.
• Overstimulation or strong emotions: excitement, fear, or anxiety may lead to biting when other outlets are not yet available.

It is important to highlight that biting is not, in most cases, a sign of malice. Instead, it reflects the child’s developmental stage and their emerging ability to communicate, regulate emotions, and engage socially.

Did You Know?

• Research shows that biting is most common in children under the age of three.
• Several studies suggest that it tends to happen more often in September, when children are adjusting to new routines.
• Boys are statistically more likely to bite than girls.

Some Do, Some Don’t
Not all children bite, and the frequency varies depending on temperament, environment, and developmental stage. It is important to recognize that while some children may bite often, others never do. Each child develops uniquely, and biting is just one of many ways to explore social interaction and self-expression.

How We Address It at AIS
At our school, we use an age-appropriate restorative approach when a biting incident occurs. This practice helps children reflect on what happened, recognize their own feelings and the feelings of others, and find healthier ways to express themselves — all while strengthening empathy, safety, and positive social interactions.

In addition, we use several preventive and supportive strategies, such as:

• Children’s books, role play, and guided conversations to help children explore emotions and understand the impact of their actions.
• Proactive supervision, closely monitoring play and gently redirecting behaviors when needed.
• Providing alternatives, such as sensory toys, calming activities, and other positive outlets for tension.
• Clear rules and boundaries, explained consistently, so children feel secure.
• Collaboration with families, maintaining open and constructive communication so strategies can also be reinforced at home.

By combining restorative practices with preventive strategies, and applying them consistently, we work every day to make sure the classroom is a safe, welcoming, and inspiring environment where every child can learn and grow.

What Can Parents Do?
Parents can support their children both at home and in collaboration with the school. By working together, families and educators can help children move through these challenging behaviors, fostering emotional regulation, social competence, and positive peer relationships.

Parents can help by:

• Acknowledging emotions: support your child by naming and validating feelings, whether they were the one who bit or the one who was bitten (e.g., “I can see you were upset” or “That must have hurt”).
• Reassuring safety: remind children that adults are here to help and to keep everyone safe.
• Teaching alternatives: encourage the use of words, gestures, or simple strategies to express needs and frustrations without biting.
• Reinforcing positive behavior: notice and praise when your child manages conflict or plays without biting.
• Encouraging resilience: help your child move forward after the incident, showing that they can recover, return to play, and feel safe again.
• Collaborating with the school: keep open communication with educators to understand what strategies are being used in the classroom, so they can be reinforced at home.