Could your 4 year old be doing something to her that is making her bite and mainly attack her? I work with kids that have special needs, and the first thing I have learned is to look at in every situation and what is goes on when the biting starts. I would just try to block it from happening, but to do that you have to find out what triggers it. Is it when you get your 4 year old praise/attention, or when they are playing with toys? To know what causes it is the best way to start blocking it from happening. When she goes to bite and you see it just guide her head in a different direction to block her from biting. I have a 14month old son that did bite alot! I started to notice he only bit when he was bored, tristy, or hungry at home. At daycare he would bite when another child took a toy away from him or pushed him. He hasnt been doing it, because I have been trying to prevent it, and blocking him when he does.
Be firm and consistent with the behavior you don't want. I know you say you don't want to bite back.. but that worked with my son, who will be two years old in two weeks. He bit me *once* and I bit back.. that was the end of it.
Now, how much is your daughter speaking? Acting out in violence to get attention is usually a way of communicating for kids when they're frustrated about a language barrier. Scratching, hitting, and self-harm are the biggest flags. When she gets to be like this, try holding her still so you can look her in the eyes and calmly try to ask what she wants. "Cup? Are you thirsty? Do you need something in your cup?" "Are you tired? Do you need to rest for a few minutes?" "Are you hungry? Do you need a snack? Hungry?" "Do you have an owie? Do you hurt? Owie?" <- The usuals in this house. It took a few days to get those questions to be understandable for him and it requires a lot of repitition.
TGIF! What are you doing this weekend?
Are you a first time mom? If not, how many kids do you have?
- thickerthan
on Jul. 12, 2012 at 8:25 PM