Need Help

[getlucky22]

My daughter is 2 1/2 and she started biting all the kids at daycare. I don't know what to do, I am at my wits end. She has bit two girls and a little boy, and she slapped a 4 month old in the face. She was seperated from the other children and was not allowed to play with them, but I don't want her getting kicked out of daycare. Her dad told her this morning that if she bit, she was going to be in trouble when he got home, but obvisouly that has just provoked her. What should I do?

[lovin3]

I've worked in daycare, and you are not alone. Some kids use biting when they don't have the words and skills to communicate with other children, especially if they are upset about something. I would talk with her daycare. See if you can find out more about the situation and what preceeded the incidents. Was it unprovoked? Was a toy taken? Was another child aggressive toward her? It might help end it if you can figure out what caused it. Also, see how they handle her biting immediately after it happens. We would tell them "No biting" and put them in timeout with minimal attention. After their timeout, we would have them appologize, talk briefly (remember- little attention) about using words and that biting hurts, and then let them go back to playing, keeing them away from the injured child for a little while. Consistancy will help in disciplining, but being able to interceed if she might bite and redirect her will help a ton. One other thought- maybe instead of punishing her at home if she bites (it is hard for them at that age to associate a prior offense with being punished later and a second time), you can start a sticker chart at daycare or home for days without biting or hitting to reward the behavior you want to see.