What do you tell a toddler’s parents when they are getting bit in a childcare center? Biter:sensory issues?
Saturday, October 31st, 2009 at
8:53 am
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The parents should have been informed the day the incident happened. Regardless of the problem, it isn’t an issue for the kids being bitten, it is an issue for the parents of the biter. It doesn’t matter why the child is biting: even though we feel for the child, he is a hazard to the other children and should be removed from the center. If I found out that my child was being bitten by on a regular basis and nothing was being done, my child wouldn’t remain there.
It would be unethical , and in my state a violation of the confidentiality regulations,for you to tell the parents anything about the biter. Acknowledge their concern. Stress the strategies you are using to stop the problem.
I would just out right tell them the truth about everything just tell them about the other child and see what happens or offer bitter yuck spray. It is at any pet store and is safe for toddlers and adults… its a spray to keep puppies from chewing on things. I used this on my son when he kept sucking his thumb… it worked great. It tastes HORRIBLE and most likely the "biter" will never do it again. My doctor suggested it to me and I am glad he did.
I do not think that anything needs to be said to the children that are getting bits parents, except you need to be informing them when it happens. The issue is not the other children, it is the child that is biting!
If I knew that my toddler was in class and kept getting bit by another child and nothing was being done… I dont believe my child would be going to that childcare center anymore. I would suggest you talking to the parents of the child that is biting and recommending therapy or withdrawing the child from the center, developmental disabilities or not, if its not being handled, everyone elses children are being put at risk.
yes… you cannot say anything about the other child to another parent. That is a confidentiality issue. You, as the teacher, need to address the issue immediately.
Secondly, you are not qualified to make that diagnosis, so you definately don’t won’t to start telling other people that.
Thirdly, just because the child may have a developmental disorder doesn’t mean that the biting is not "behavioral". Biting, or mouthing, can be a sensory concern, but you need to look at other potential environmental causes…
-Why is he only biting the one child?
-Does he mouth or bite other things?
-WHY is he doing it?
-Ultimately, you (with the parents of the child who is biting) need to come up with an appropriate intervention immediately. Biting is a big issue because bacteria and disease are passed that way. It is your ethical to document and intervene immediately.
I would say to you that if he has done it more than twice, you are not doing your job. Sit them apart, have appropriate supervision…