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Biting Behaviors Among Preschoolers: A Review of the Literature and Survey of Practitioners

Abstract

Biting behavior occurs frequently among young children in child care settings. Research indicates several possible reasons for biting behavior including developmental as well as emotional issues. This study examines procedures that have been established to handle childhood biting by early childhood education child care facilities in a southeastern state of the United States. We were interested in whether these child care providers considered biting a normal developmental behavior or an abnormal, dysfunctional behavior. Additionally, how did their philosophy about childhood biting relate to their handling of biting incidents in their facilities?

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de Atiles, J.T.R., Stegelin, D.A. & Long, J.K. Biting Behaviors Among Preschoolers: A Review of the Literature and Survey of Practitioners. Early Childhood Education Journal 25, 101–105 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025672404118

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025672404118