OUTLINED BELOW IS THE PROCEDURE OUR STAFF UNDERTAKE WHEN AN INCIDENT/EPIDEMIC OF BITING OCCURS IN THE CENTRE.
1. When an incident occurs the staff straight away comforts the child who is bitten and if necessary applies First Aid Treatment.
2. The staff expresses strong disapproval to the child who has bitten and no further attention is given to that child regarding the issue.
3. Staff are all alerted to the child who is biting and try to ensure very careful supervision by:
• We try to keep the child away from overcrowded situations and excessive noise, as this over stimulation can often set off a biter.
• We ensure there is enough space for toddlers to have freedom of movement and restructure the physical environment if necessary.
• We "shadow" children who have a tendency to bite and, try and anticipate biting situations.
• We also "shadow" children who have a tendency to be bitten; and try and anticipate biting situations, where practical teach responses to potential biting situations that minimise the chance of becoming a victim.
• We try to be aware of children who are teething or over tired.
• We try and reduce frustration by having enough equipment.
• We try very hard to protect our vulnerable babies.
However with every effort made, it is often not possible to react with enough speed to prevent a child being bitten.
Points to Remember about biting
• Asking a toddler to apologise is pointless – the toddler does not really understand this concept often has not meant to hurt and does not feel sorry if s/he did mean to hurt.
• Biting back only indicates to the child that adults approve of and use violence themselves. Children learn through imitation.
• Very careful supervision is the most practical answer, situations where the behaviours occur may be avoided through prevention and by reducing frustration at every opportunity.
PLEASE REMEMEBER
• We care for the child who is bitten; we also care for the child who is biting.
• We understand the frustration of the parents of BOTH children
• We a try our best to stop this situation
• We also feel frustrated.