In some cases, biting behaviors may increase when children transition from public to private schools. One possible explanation is that public preschools often have stricter rules and more frequent punishments, which make children less likely to act out. In other words, the children repress their emotions because of a lack of psychological safety and a safe environment.
In contrast, private preschools may have a more relaxed environment, allowing children more space to experience and express their emotions. Since they have not yet learned how to express frustration, anger, and sadness, they resort to biting or fighting with other children. It's important to note that biting behaviors are a normal part of preschool development, and not all children who attend private preschools will engage in biting behaviors.
It's crucial to address biting behavior in a holistic way that promotes positive social-emotional development. Punishing a child for biting may only reinforce the idea that expressing their emotions is unacceptable, leading to further problems down the line. Instead, our teachers use biting incidents as an opportunity to teach children about emotions, boundaries, and communication.