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Hearing that your child has bitten another child at nursery- or has been bitten themselves- can be upsetting. Many parents immediately worry that something is wrong or that their child is being “naughty.”
The good news is that biting is a common stage of development for some young children, particularly between the ages of one and three. While it’s important to address, it is usually a way of communicating rather than a sign of bad behaviour.
With patience, consistency and support from both home and nursery, most children move through this phase.
Why Do Children Bite?
Toddlers are still learning how to express their feelings and manage big emotions. Biting can happen for a number of reasons, including:
- Frustration when they can’t communicate what they need.
- Excitement during play.
- Teething discomfort.
- Feeling overwhelmed or tired.
- Wanting a toy another child has.
- Seeking attention.
- Exploring cause and effect.
Understanding why a child bites is the first step in helping them learn more appropriate ways to express themselves.
What Happens When a Child Bites at Nursery?
At a high-quality nursery, practitioners respond quickly and calmly.
The priority is always to:
- Comfort and care for the child who has been bitten.
- Ensure everyone’s safety.
- Support the child who bit to understand what happened.
- Look for patterns or triggers that may have led to the behaviour.
Rather than punishing a child, practitioners focus on teaching them more appropriate ways to communicate and regulate their emotions.
How Can Parents Help at Home?
If your child has started biting, there are several things you can do to support them.
Stay Calm
It’s natural to feel embarrassed or worried but reacting with anger or shouting can increase anxiety without helping your child learn.
Instead, use a calm, firm response such as:
“Biting hurts. We use gentle hands.”
Simple language is often the most effective.
Teach Other Ways to Communicate
Help your child learn words or gestures they can use instead of biting.
For example:
- “My turn.”
- “Stop.”
- “Help please.”
- “I’m angry.”
The more ways children have to communicate, the less likely they are to use biting.
Notice the Triggers
Ask yourself:
- Were they tired?
- Hungry?
- Frustrated?
- Sharing toys?
- Overstimulated?
Recognising patterns can help prevent biting before it happens.
Praise Positive Behaviour
When your child shares, uses kind hands or communicates with words, offer specific praise.
For example:
“You asked for the toy so nicely-that was kind.”
Children respond well when positive behaviour is noticed.
What If My Child Has Been Bitten?
Being bitten can be upsetting for both children and parents.
Nurseries should always:
- Provide appropriate first aid.
- Comfort your child.
- Record the incident.
- Inform you about what happened.
- Put strategies in place to reduce the chance of it happening again.
While it can be frustrating, remember that the child who bit is also learning an important skill and needs support rather than blame.
Working Together Makes the Biggest Difference
The most successful approach is when parents and nursery staff work as a team.
Sharing information about routines, changes at home, teething, sleep or anything else that may affect your child’s behaviour can help practitioners better understand and support them.
Consistency between home and nursery gives children the clear, reassuring messages they need.
How We Respond to Biting at Little Flyers Childcare
At Little Flyers Childcare, we understand that biting can be a worrying experience for everyone involved.
Our practitioners respond calmly, professionally and with compassion. We focus on understanding the reason behind the behaviour rather than simply reacting to it. By observing patterns, supporting emotional development and working closely with families, we help children develop the skills they need to communicate, manage emotions and build positive relationships.
Every incident is treated seriously, with the wellbeing of all children at the heart of our approach. We communicate openly with families while respecting the privacy of everyone involved.
Final Thoughts
Biting can be a difficult stage, but it is usually just that – a stage.
With patience, consistent support and positive guidance, most children quickly learn more appropriate ways to express themselves.
Remember, your child isn’t trying to be “bad.” They’re learning an important life skill: how to communicate their needs and manage big emotions.
By working together, parents and nursery practitioners can help children move through this phase with confidence, kindness and understanding.
