New kid... new biter...

[jenny31052]

I have a new 21 months old that started today. Full time care. He just bit one of the girls over a toy

Now, this one child is replacing a family that I have terminated because they child was a chronic biter that needed to be shadowed every second, and used to bite at least twice a week; he was always able to find those 5 seconds where I wasn't watching, to sneak a bite to whoever was close by. It's just me running the daycare, so shadowing one child is very difficult to do, without neglecting everyone else.


Now, here I am, back to square one... now, should I wait to see how the adjustment goes? My promised me that he is not a biter, but I always have the feeling that if they bite at daycare, they do it at home as well...

I do not want another biter... I finally want a group of kids that get along nicely, without me constantly freaking out about who is going to get bit, and when...

Should I tell the Mom right away, or wait until pick up? I don't know what to do since it is his very first day....

[wdmmom]

He's still in the adjustment period. I would tell mom and I would be direct that you run a Strike 3, You're out system. This is 1.

Get yourself a playard. The nice 6 panel system type. He wants to bite, he can have 36 square feet of playing room all by himself!

[MizzCheryl]

He's still in the adjustment period. I would tell mom and I would be direct that you run a Strike 3, You're out system. This is 1.

Get yourself a playard. The nice 6 panel system type. He wants to bite, he can have 36 square feet of playing room all by himself!

This must be frustrating. Biting on the first day. Was he termed before?I agree that you should get a playard.

[gelbesonn]

My son was the biter in my daycare. It was a long summer.... and I couldn't exactly term him. Thank god the DCP were understandable. I worked with him to try and figure out the reason behind the biting. For him it was a combination of needing attention from me and still gaining the ability to communicate. He became frustrated with things, and ended up biting as a result.
It was something he eventually grew out of. I worked with him (and the others) to find the words. (I need space. No, it's my turn. etc) and also practicing taking turns with a kitchen timer (I would set it for 1min. When it beeped it was the next person's turn). I also made sure to slow my pace down and "be an island." This way, if his space was being invaded, someone was taking his toy, or vis vers, I was there to step in for support and the kids saw that I was there to help.

I agree with pp about a play yard. Also, take the time to reassess your environment and see if there are ways to increase or create separate play spaces. During transitional periods when you are most likely to have your eyes off the kids, try to come up with ways to have the child with you (ex. find ways to have him help you, involve the kids in separate activities, etc).

As the parent of a biter, I can tell you, that it's extremely embarrassing and frustrating. If you can, I would try and work through it if the parents are willing to work with you.