Bite Mark on My Toddler's Arm Today.....

I do in-home daycare and let me tell you, the biting happens so fast that it is impossible to always catch it. IF her teacher saw it happen, or found the bite after (if) she cried, then yes, you should have been informed. Keep in mind that not all accidents can be prevented, but only managed afterward, even by the best watchful eyes. I would mention it to them on Monday, just to let them know that need to watching for a biter.

My son is in day care 5 days a week as well. I know that they do the best that they can. But maybe she did not cry when it happened and the teacher did not know. I would alert them that it happened, but I am not sure if complaining is going to do anything. Things happen when kids are together. I know my daycare tells us when he gets the smallest scratch, and it sounds like yours might as well. I would say something more so they are aware, and they might have been and she forgot to put the note to you. I trust my daycare and if something like that happened to my son, I would say something so they know. They might have an idea of who did it and they will keep an eye on that child more closely. I know that things happen and cuts, scrapes, bites all happen it is part of daycare life.

I hope your little one is okay. Good luck on Monday.

My son also is in daycare. One day when I picked him up the caregivers were all looking a little weird and when I asked what happened, they said my son bit another child. They said their policy is usually to not discuss it with parents, but to teach the children not to bit. They just told me because one of the caregivers babysits my son and she thought I would want to know. The whole drive home, my son repeated "I bit zane. That was very bad. I'm sorry, Zane." So I know they were trying to take care of it. A week later, I saw a bit shaped mark on my son's thigh. I asked if he was bitten and they said No. Honestly, I think toddlers bite, it happens quickly, and sometimes they see it happen and sometimes they don't. They told me if they have a chronic biter, they do work with the parents. So I hope this was just an isolated incident for your daughter.

Depending on how young your daughter is...I would talk to the teacher to see if she remembers anything. But keep in mind that kids are very quick and a bite can happen even if the teacher is staring at the kids. I have 4 young children of my own and have witnessed this behavior at home and in our church's nursery over the years. Kids can bite for different reasons. They may bite because their teeth hurt, they are mad, having trouble communicating how they feel, or in self defense. My son would bite when his baby sister would not let go of his hair...pure self defense. Try talking with the teacher, but keep in mind how you would feel if it was your 2 year old that bit the little one in the room. It happens sometimes when there is alot going on in the room. Good Luck with your situation and hopefully this was helpful.

CJ-
I would bet your daughter can tell you who bit her. My son from the time he was two could tell me what violence happened at daycare, even if he wasn't involved. I would bet the skirmish was short and if, your daughter didn't scream or yell out, the very best of daycare teachers (and, uh, moms) can miss something. Ask your daughter and see if she remembers who did it. Tell the teachers so they can be the lookout and be diligent so you can confirm that it isn't an issue with the school.

Good luck on Monday,
S.

It really depends on the age of your daughter. If she is very young (under 1), then I would definitley talk with the teacher to make sure she is monitored closer. However if it is an older child, you can ask her how it happened.

My daughter had a bite mark on her side when she was about 3 yrs old. I was changing her clothes and asked her what happened and she told me a little boy bit her (it broke the skin). In my opinion, kids bite, it happens, even the best of us can miss something like that when kids are playing.

However you should feel confident that the teacher is aware of when a child gets injured. You can ask if she knew about it (NOTHING to get upset over, but good to have communication with the teacher).

When my daughter was 1 1/2, she got bitten by a child at her daycare and no one told me. This was just a month after she got nurse maid's elbow (dislocated elbow) at the daycare. They never notified me, nor did they know what I was talking about when I asked (it turned into a two day ordeal ending at the ER). So I called about the bite and they also did not know anything about it. When I expressed concern, I was spoken to abruptly and rudely. I decided that the daycare situation was unsafe for my daughter and removed her. Since your daycare usually gives you daily notes, it sounds like it was something they really didn't know about. I would let them know and to keep an eye out for the child who has been doing the biting.

Definitely let them know today (if you didn't already). The daycare probably is aware they have a biter, and they should be taking steps to address the issue. Many times biters pick the same kids to victimize, (probably because these are the kids that are well-behaved and less likely to bite or hit back). The school most likely will not (and should not) confirm the name of the kid your daughter mentioned, but they should let you know they are aware of the situation and that they are addressing it - and maybe you could get them to tell you how. They should be discussing this with the biter's parents, and encouraging them to seek additional help outside the school. They also should file a report each time the kid bites someone, and should have notified you that your daughter was bit - once is an oversight, twice is bad management. If they claim they are NOT aware that any biting has been taking place, I would want to know how they are going to start monitoring the situation, and I also would consider changing daycares - not that anyone wants to have to do something like that.
Good luck

How many children are in your daughter's class? How many teachers? Having been a teacher in a toddler room I can tell you that it is impossible to watch every child at every moment. They try their best. Also, if your daughter didn't cry or tell the teacher that another child bite her, that could be the reason that the teacher wouldn't know anything about the bite. A bite can happen very quickly in that setting, without the teacher able to do anything except appropriately discipline after the fact. I wouldn't complain unless this has happened more than once without a teacher's knowledge.

Definitely say something!! Have you asked your daughter--is she old enough to give you info? They need to know that you are aware there is a "biter" -- show them the mark. The kid who bites has to be monitored.... Take a picture while the mark is still visible. (By Monday it have healed enough to not look like a bite mark).

Take a picture for your reference, report it to the teacher so she is aware. Maybe it is nothing but at least you have a record if this occurs again. How do they teach no biting in the program? Keep an eye out to see if it happens again. I don't have a biter but my nephews bite...I don't understand the behavior. I think for some "spirited" children they need closer attention and more correction. Personally I do not think biting should be tolerated however if it is an impulse, a parent or daycare provider needs to be more watchful and perhaps remove the child who is biting till the behavior stops. My 28 month old is very clever....he could tell me who made the boo boo. I would want him to learn it is wrong to bite and not to ever bite anyone. If someone bit him and got a way with it he may very well repeat the behavior. Simply ask the teacher to be watchful.

My son had a bite when he was 2 from daycare (in-home daycare). I had to sign something to indicate that she told me since it broke the skin. He had bitten my son 3 times before, but never broke the skin. I told her that I didn't feel he was safe there and that either they needed to get another person to monitor the biter one-on-one, suspend him, or that we would have to leave. You can't feel comfortable sending your child someplace where they are not safe. I also bought a book for the daycare "teeth are not for biting".
You should make sure your daughter has all of her shots if it broke the skin.

Hi,
Yes, Please take my advise and make sure that it is officially documented at the daycare and that you keep a record of the incident. I don't want to alarm you, just make you aware; my daughter was physically abused in a daycare and through the legal proceedings I learned how important it is that every little thing that happens at the daycare be documented. Everything is significant and you never know if this is an isolated incident or something that will be a recurrent problem. This can be an indicator that the other child is a problem and needs intervention or the staff are not watching the children as closely as they should. Your documentation will backup any future complaints you may or may not have. I would also take a picture of the bite mark and date it. I know it sounds over the top and paranoid, but I was very trusting and my daughter was in a very "respected" daycare with a great reputation. The daycare workers were arrested and charged, we are still going through court proceedings.

Yes, they need to know. What are they doing that something like this happens and no one takes notice. I will definitly talk to them.