Last updated: April 2026

Review date: April 2027

Biting is a natural and usually temporary developmental stage that many children go through, typically between thirteen and twenty four months of age. Biting can evoke strong emotions in adults. It can be very painful for the child who has been bitten and frightening for both the biter and the victim.

We recognise that in time, the majority of children develop sufficient self-regulation to stop themselves from biting.

Principles:

• The human rights and safety of children in our care is our primary concern.
• We take all incidents of biting very seriously.
• Biting is not something to blame on children, parents, or staff, and there are no quick and easy solutions to it.
• Confidentiality of all children involved will be maintained.
• Children of this age who bite do not have the developmental capacity to understand the effect of their biting and how it hurts another person.

Possible reasons for biting

• Teething
• Over-tiredness
• Frustration, often as a result of insufficient language to communicate
• Lack of self-awareness and self-control needed to manage anger
• Curiosity or experimenting
• Attempting to get attention
• As a means of expressing emotions or feelings
• In defense or as a reaction when feeling threatened or anxious
• In response to changes at home