Biting is a very normal behavior for young children (between the ages of 14 and 24 months), but that doesn't make it any easier to see teeth marks on your child. No one likes it when a child gets hurt, especially when another child is responsible.
Young children bite for a number of reasons: to get attention, to ask for something when they don't have the words, or to express frustration, stress, or strong emotions. The child may be teething, and biting on something helps with the pain of sore gums.
As a parent, it's important to understand that biting is normal, so stay calm. Ask the child care provider what he or she is doing to work with the child who is biting and to protect other children from being bitten. You may want to work with your child and teach him to say "No" loudly if another child wants to take his toy away. This will alert the child care provider that there may be a problem.
Sometimes children like to do things they see others doing. Watch your own child, and be firm if he starts biting others at home. Tell him, "No biting. Biting hurts."
For more about handling biting in child care, check out the eXtension Alliance for Better Child Care article on what to do when your child is bitten in child care.
