3 yr old biting - advice please

[MrsS01]

My DSS is biting - I remember my DS going through this phase though I think he was a bit younger and I told him 'no' repeatedly. He only did it a handful of times and got the message. 3 yr old doesn't seem to be getting the message - any advice?

[BlueArmyGirl]

Is there a pattern to the biting? Could it be frustration? I remember reading something about different types of biters e.g. experimental, explorers, frustration etc. Are there any issues with his speech & language development? Sometimes dc who struggle to get their point across verbally resort to biting as it is an immediate form of communication.

Depending on the reason will depend on what you try to do about it? But whatever it is it needs to be consistent and used by everyone involved with dss care.

[MrsS01]

yes i think its frustration - he's the youngest of 4 so quite often doesn't get what he wants, struggles to join in etc

[BlueArmyGirl]

Maybe you need to do a bit of work with the others (if they're old enough for it to be helpful!) about how they can help little one not to feel so frustrated.

Perhaps a consistent 'no' and time out type approach would work coupled with some positive experiences of playing with the others (you will need to help him to achieve this and perhaps encourage the others too) taking turns with the things they all like to do etc.