Actually, I too am going to go against the grain here, and say I think it is an idea tat should be considered.
And the argument of 'oh that isn't an adult way of dealing with it, doesn't sit with me.
O.K. so biters. Often aged 18 mths - 2 yrs ? but lets not limit it to just that age group.
yes some of them are so young they can't comprehend the meaning of some of their actions. my friend has an 18 month who is very savvy and knows what no means, understands what hurting someone else. he knows. you can see it in his eyes that he knows he has done wrong.
My son was bitten by a biter many years ago at nursery. on the face. big black bruise. of visible teeth marks, in the shape of upper and lower jaw. I remmber clearly.
and the child, I suspect, who bit lots of the other children, had N IDEA the pain he was inflicting, with his very very forceful bite.
so if an adult had talked it all through, repeatedly said no etc tec. if they were to bite the child, they would never do it with the verocity of how the biter actually bites, so suddenly. else the adult would be up in court.
but a discussion of , can you imagine how that feels. now I am going to bite you to show you how painful that is for the other children....
or maybe this would only work with hair pulling. not so painful. but a quick tug, might show the child how nasty it was. they could feel it. it might shock them. then they might TRUELY understand the pain they are causing.
because if they have never been bitten, hair pulled, how could they have any comprehension of how painful it was ?
Just a thought. I am just saying that I do not think it is such a hideous or vile thought.
Not a nasty tit for tat way of doing it. not you pushed, so i'll push you. but a considered way, or actually showing, making the child physically feel how painful their actions are.
Just thought I'd throw that into the ring.