Biting V
Transitions and Teachable Moments

We know that transitions are difficult for young children and that changes in schedule or routine create stress that may lead to behaviors such as biting. Schedule and routine create continuity and order in the lives of young children, enhancing their overall feelings of safety and security. Children who feel safe and secure in their environment will be happier, more compliant and less prone to act-out inappropriately in stressful situations. However, disruptions to routine and transitions from one activity to another occur daily no matter how organized or prepared caregivers may be. However, when these disruptions occur, recognize that particular attention is needed to re-establish normal order and routine. In scientific terms, its called homeostasis, or "a relatively stable state of equilibrium or a tendency toward such a state between different but interdependent elements or groups of elements of an organism, population or group".

When speaking recently with the parent's of a child who bites, we were able to identify that the child had a particularly difficult day when arriving late to the childcare program following a doctor's appointment. While the appointment disrupted the child's schedule and led to difficulty transitioning to the childcare environment, it also highlighted health issues as another source of stress for the child. It is difficult for any of us to be on our best behavior when we're not feeling well. Young children often suffer from colds, respiratory problems and stomach ailments, not to mention a whole host of other childhood illnesses. Ear infections are common in children and can be a chronic source of discomfort. Teeth are coming in. Its no wonder that young children may behave inappropriately given the all the stress they're under!

Teachable moments are unplanned and spontaneous occurences in which a caregiver recognizes special opportunities to teach or reinforce skills or behavior. These opportunities present themselves numerous times each day to the astute caregiver who is intent on supporting children's learning. For a child who bites, caregivers should look for opportunities where the child is engaged in appropriate social behavior and call their attention to it, such as when the child is cooperating with peers through sharing, taking turns or other helping behaviors. Moreover, it is critical for the caregiver to acknowledge when a child physically interacts with other children appropriately, such as recognizing their use of safe, soft or gentle hands. In addition, caregivers should also look for opportunities to help children improve their emotional skills by increasing awareness of the feelings they experience in relation to a particular situation or event. Children experience intense feelings but may not be aware that their immediate emotion is anger or frustration or sadness or one of the other innumerable feelings that make up the human experience. Recognition or awareness of an emotional state is essential in order for children to be able to make decisions about how to express those feelings appropriately. Since emotional self-awareness is rudimentary among our toddlers and two's, making good decisions about how to express strong feelings appropriately is extremely difficult and will almost always require a caregiver to provide assistance and support.