Anti-Biting Strategies

[Floweryfields]

CC did try spraying a water spray bottle in DS's face after some incidents but it was early summer so warm enough to be nice on his face

Woah, never heard of that and to be honest, would never feel comfortable doing that to someone's child - can't really understand their reasoning behind it, the child is not a dog or cat. Also, time out is no longer considered an acceptable behavioural management tool in child care and centres are not supposed to be using it any more.
In my experience (must to the frustrations of everyone involved) there is really little that can disuade a biter and usually it is just a time thing, that they do grow out of. Doesn't make it any less frustrating for everyone involved though.

[The[cookie]Doctor]

Yeah I am totally against the idea of childcare dealing with it in that way, totally off.

I am surprised they cannot make suggestions as well, they should have a behaviour management policy in place and should be able to observe when and 'why' it is happening and create an individual management plan to assist your child in not continuing with these behaviours.

Unless it is occurring at home the behaviour can not *really* be managed by you... I am at a loss really because although we would discuss it with you, and develop strategies in consultation with you - it is us that would be doing a lot of the behaviour management because it is happening at the centre.

Suggestions for managing detrimental behaviours such as biting, scratching etc are generally by creating tactile experiences (such as play dough, finger paint, sand play, water play) for the child to engage in so that they are 'busy'. And the child carers should be encouraging positive interactions and guiding children away from negative interations etc.

This is a good article that we have for parents to look at, written by Anne Stonehouse - http://www.ncac.gov.au/factsheets/biting.pdf