For many parents, biting can feel alarming or even upsetting, but rest assured, it’s a common developmental phase that many children move through.
The reasons behind biting change depending on a child’s age, emotions, and stage of communication. With understanding and gentle guidance, this behaviour can be redirected into more positive interactions.
At Sanctuary Early Learning Adventure, we see biting not as ‘bad behaviour’ but as a signal – a message a child may not yet have the words to share. By exploring the reasons why children bite, and responding in supportive ways, parents and educators together can help children learn to express themselves more constructively.
If you’re currently seeking child care on the Gold Coast, it’s helpful to know that professional educators are experienced in supporting children through stages like this with compassion and care.
Why Do Children Bite? (Age-Based Reasons)
Newborns to 12 Months – Teething & Sensory Exploration
For infants, biting is often part of natural development:
• Teething: Biting helps soothe sore gums.
• Exploration: Babies learn about the world by mouthing objects and textures.
• Cause & effect: Babies may bite simply to observe how people respond.
How to Help:
✔ Provide teething toys or chilled teething rings.
✔ Offer a cold washcloth for comfort.
✔ Use gentle redirection: “We don’t bite people, but you can chew this.”
12 to 24 Months, Frustration & Limited Communication
Toddlers are learning new words, but communication is still a challenge. Biting may occur when they:
• Feel frustrated or hungry.
• Want attention.
• Are overstimulated or overtired.
How to Help:
✔ Teach simple words like “help,” “stop,” or “more.”
✔ Keep routines predictable to reduce fatigue and hunger.
✔ Celebrate gentle touch and positive behaviour with praise.
2 to 3 Years – Emotional Regulation & Social Experimentation
At this stage, toddlers are exploring independence and testing boundaries. Biting can happen when they:
• Feel overwhelmed with strong emotions.
• Want control in a social situation.
• Struggle with self-regulation.
How to Help:
✔ Model calm responses: “I can see you’re upset. Let’s take a breath.”
✔ Offer alternatives: Encourage phrases like “Can I have a turn?”
✔ Provide sensory outlets such as playdough or stress toys.
3 to 4 Years – Social Struggles & Frustration
Preschoolers are more verbal, but biting can still emerge when they:
• Feel anxious or insecure.
• Struggle with friendships or waiting for turns.
• Experience big changes at home or in routine.
How to Help:
✔ Use social stories to support conflict resolution.
✔ Label emotions: “You’re feeling cross. Let’s talk about it.”
✔ Teach calming techniques like walking away or deep breathing.
Most children at this age begin to replace biting with words and self-regulation, though some may still need gentle support.
4 to 6 Years – Habitual or Emotional Biting
By school age, biting should no longer be common. If it continues, it may be linked to:
• Stress or anxiety.
• Attention-seeking behaviours.
• Sensory processing challenges.
How to Help:
✔ Look for patterns—when and where is biting happening?
✔ Offer emotional coaching: “When you feel worried, let’s try this instead.”
✔ Build self-regulation strategies—movement breaks, calming music, or mindfulness.
If biting is frequent or impacting friendships, professional advice from a paediatrician or child psychologist can be valuable.
When Children Bite Themselves
Self-biting can occur as a way of coping with stress, frustration, or sensory needs. It may be more common in children who:
• Seek oral sensory input.
• Use self-soothing habits (like thumb-sucking).
• Struggle to express strong emotions.
How to Help:
✔ Stay calm—avoid drawing too much attention.
✔ Provide chewable sensory tools.
✔ Look for triggers such as tiredness or overstimulation.
✔ Offer reassurance and alternative calming strategies.
If self-biting causes injury or becomes regular, seeking support from a healthcare professional can help.
At What Age Should Biting Stop?
When to Seek Support
Biting usually decreases as children’s language and social skills grow. Still, extra support may be helpful if:
• Biting continues beyond age 4.
• Self-biting is frequent or harmful.
• A child struggles with emotional regulation in multiple settings.
• Biting begins to affect friendships and social inclusion.
Supporting Positive Behaviour in Early Learning
In child care Gold Coast settings like Sanctuary Ashmore, we approach biting with compassion and calm, guiding children to express themselves in safe and respectful ways. Our educators use play-based learning, social stories, and emotional coaching to help children develop alternative strategies.
Our approach includes:
• Encouraging positive interactions through group play.
• Teaching emotional language and self-regulation.
• Creating predictable routines to reduce stress triggers.
We work in close partnership with families, ensuring children experience consistency at home and in care.
The Role of Parents and Educators Together
Children look to adults for cues on how to manage big feelings. Calm, consistent responses from parents, carers, and educators provide children with security and understanding. When biting does occur, it’s an opportunity to teach – not punish.
At Sanctuary, our educators partner with families when a child is going through a biting phase. We share strategies, keep communication open, and provide reassurance that this behaviour is common and, with support, will pass. Parents can feel confident knowing that they’re not alone—the home and centre can work hand-in-hand to guide children toward more positive ways of expressing themselves.
Biting as a Step Toward Growth
Biting may feel confronting in the moment, but it’s often a temporary phase that provides valuable learning opportunities. With calm guidance, children develop new tools for communication, empathy, and self-regulation.
At Sanctuary Early Learning Adventure, we see every challenge—including biting—as part of a child’s journey. By working closely with families, our educators help children navigate this phase with compassion and consistency. Together, we support children to grow into confident, capable learners who know there are always better ways to express themselves than with their teeth.
If you’re searching for child care Gold Coast, we’d love to welcome you into our community. Book a visit to discover how Sanctuary supports your child’s development with warmth, respect, and care—through every stage, even the challenging ones.
