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Bridgewater Nursery · Parent Guide
Understanding biting in young children
Why it happens and how we can help children learn gentler ways to communicate.
Hearing that your child has been bitten can be upsetting. Being told that your child has bitten someone can bring worry or embarrassment too. Both families deserve kindness, clear information and support.
Biting can happen in early childhood, particularly while children are developing language and learning to manage strong feelings. It needs a calm, clear response that protects children and helps them learn. A biting incident does not define a child or mean a parent has done something wrong.
Understanding
Why might a young child bite
A toddler may want a toy, need more space or feel frustrated without yet being able to explain. Tiredness, teething, excitement or a busy environment can also play a part. Some children seek the sensation of chewing.
Looking at what happened just beforehand helps adults understand what support might make a difference. The same response will not suit every child or every situation.
Four steps
What to do in the moment
- Keep everyone safe. Calmly interrupt the bite and create space between the children, keeping both supervised.
- Care for the child who was hurt. Offer reassurance, check the injury and give appropriate first aid.
- Set a brief, clear limit. Use a steady voice:
“I cannot let you bite. Biting hurts.”
- Help the other child settle. When they are calm, practise an alternative such as saying or signing “stop”, asking for help or moving away.
Please avoid
Avoid shouting, shaming, biting back or describing a child as “a biter”. A long explanation in an emotional moment is unlikely to help. Model care for the child who was hurt rather than insisting on an immediate apology.
For the child who was hurt
If your child has been bitten
Offer comfort and listen without repeatedly questioning them. You might say, “That hurt. I am here to help you.” Speak privately with your child’s key person about what happened and any worries you have.
Little and often
Helping your child at home
Practise useful words or gestures during calm play: “help” “stop” and “my turn”. Name feelings simply: “You feel cross because you wanted the truck.” Notice progress with specific encouragement: “You asked me for help.”
Predictable meals, rest and quieter breaks can help children cope. If teething is involved, offer an age appropriate teether used safely under supervision. Share changes in sleep, routines or wellbeing with nursery so we can understand the wider picture together.
At Bridgewater Nursery, we want parents to feel comfortable raising concerns about biting, whether their child has been hurt or has bitten someone else. Please speak to your child’s key person so we can discuss their individual needs and agree consistent words and practical strategies for home and nursery.
A helpful plan considers triggers, supervision, communication and the child’s environment, then reviews whether the support is working. Conversations about incidents should be private and respectful of every child’s confidentiality.
Next steps
When more support may help
If biting is frequent, causes repeated injuries or continues despite consistent support, discuss it with your key person and health visitor. Seek advice too if you have concerns about communication or development. Together, you can consider whether support from the nursery’s special educational needs coordinator or another professional would help.
Children need time and patient teaching to build new skills. Every child involved deserves comfort, safety and understanding.
Go deeper
Further reading
Illustrations are AI generated and do not depict children or staff at Bridgewater Nursery. General parent guidance; individual incidents should be managed in line with nursery procedures and medical advice.