Understanding Why Toddlers BITE – Golden City FCC, Inc.
Biting is a common behavior among toddlers and can be stressful for parents and caregivers alike. At Golden City FCC, Inc., we understand how overwhelming it can feel when your child bites or is bitten by another child. Our goal is to provide families with clear, compassionate information and practical strategies, while ensuring a safe and nurturing home-based child care environment.
If you’d like to learn more about our programs and approach to early childhood development, please visit www.goldencityfcc.com.
Why Do Toddlers Bite?
Biting is developmentally normal for children between 12 months and 3 years old. Toddlers are still learning to communicate, regulate emotions, and navigate social interactions. While biting can be upsetting, it usually is not a sign of aggression or long-term behavioral problems.
Common reasons toddlers bite in a home-based setting include:
Limited Communication Skills
Young children often bite when they don’t yet have the words to express:Frustration
Excitement
A desire to play
A need for personal space
Teething Discomfort
Swollen gums and teething pain can prompt toddlers to bite objects—or occasionally, another child.Sensory Exploration
Toddlers learn about their world through their senses. Biting can be a way to explore textures or experiences.Attention-Seeking
If toddlers notice biting triggers a big reaction, they may repeat the behavior unintentionally.Emotional Overload
Fatigue, overstimulation, or difficulty with transitions can quickly lead to biting episodes.
How Golden City FCC, Inc. Responds to Biting
Our licensed family child care professionals follow consistent, developmentally appropriate strategies to address biting safely and respectfully.
Immediate Response
When biting happens, caregivers:
Comfort the child who was bitten
Calmly redirect the child who bit
Use simple language: “Biting hurts. We use gentle touches.”
Document the incident for parents
Non-Punitive Approach
We never shame or punish children for biting. Instead, we focus on guidance, communication, and emotional support.
Individualized Observation
If biting becomes a pattern, our team observes:
When the biting occurs
What triggers it
How the child seems to be feeling
This helps us create a personalized support plan for each child.
Skill-Building Strategies
We help toddlers learn to:
Use words or gestures instead of biting
Ask for personal space
Play cooperatively with others
Express big feelings safely
Environment Adjustments
In our home-based care, we ensure:
Close supervision
Purposeful sensory activities
Balanced daily routines with quiet time
Appropriate teething toys
Our goal is a calm, structured environment where all children feel safe and supported.
How Parents Can Support at Home
Partnership between home and family child care is key. Parents can help reduce biting by:
Maintaining consistent routines
Using simple emotion words: “You feel mad”, “You want a turn”
Providing teething toys if needed
Praising gentle behaviors
Staying calm and consistent during biting episodes
If biting happens frequently, our caregivers are available to provide personalized guidance and strategies.
Is Biting a Long-Term Concern?
In most cases, no. Biting peaks during the toddler stage and naturally decreases as children develop:
Stronger language skills
Better impulse control
Improved social understanding
With proper guidance and patience, biting almost always resolves.
Our Commitment at Golden City FCC, Inc.
At Golden City FCC, Inc., we understand that early childhood behaviors can be challenging for families. Our mission is to provide a loving, structured home-based environment where every child learns, grows, and thrives. We are committed to transparent communication with parents and a warm, supportive approach to behaviors like biting.
For enrollment, tours, or more parent resources, please visit: www.goldencityfcc.com