Bitting Epidemic - BTDT Moms

There seems to be a biting epidemic in DD’s class. The kids are between the ages of 20 moths-16 months. DD has been bite 4 times in the past month and has bit once. It seems that she gets bitten because she likes to take toys form the other children. Does anyone have any suggestions of teaching a 16 month old not to take toys from others? She is an only child and grandchild so she never really has to share. Any advice would be appreciated.

Re: Bitting Epidemic - BTDT Moms

Biting is natural at that age, but I would check with your teacher to make sure they are disciplining each child as it occurs. A while back Alex came home with a nasty bite mark, and she bit another child about 2 months ago, but the teacher assured me that she separated her after the incident, and gave her a timeout. She used to bite DH and I A LOT, and the way I always handle it is I immediately put her on the floor, say NO BITING very sternly and tell her that she hurt mommy. I then walk away. The tears usually start flowing and she runs to me. I kneel down, explain again NO biting, and ask her to say sorry and to give me a kiss and we move on from there.

As for sharing, Alex is an only child at present as well, but we have a lot of playdates - actually our neighbor has a 20 month old and we play together virtually everyday. Anytime they start fighting about a toy, I kneel down and tell Alex that we have to learn how to share. If Alex is pulling on a toy that isn't hers, I explain, Alex, that toy isn't ours so we have to ask Abigail if we can use it, and then I ask her mom, she says yes, and then I give it to Alex. If Abigail starts pulling on one of Alex's toys and Alex gets upset, I try to tell her that it's her toy, but that we can let Abigail play with it for a little while.

SOmetimes I wonder if I'm telling her TOO much that she can't understand, but other times she simply amazes me with everything she DOES understand, so I'm hoping she's absorbing at least some of it.

Re: Bitting Epidemic - BTDT Moms