In my experience working in nurseries, I encountered a fascinating case involving a 3.5-year-old boy who struggled with biting, particularly after clean-up time.

Instead of solely addressing the behaviour, we delved into understanding the underlying factors.

Observing his actions and listening to his words during clean-up time, it became apparent that his reluctance to tidy up stemmed from his desire to continue building with the magnetic blocks.

Drawing from my focus on emotions rather than behaviour, I recognized that, as children grow older, dismantling their creations becomes increasingly challenging.

To him, taking down his tower felt like us tearing up a painting or drawing, especially if he had invested a brief but meaningful period in its creation.

From these insights and my developmental training, we devised a solution.

We presented him with two alternatives ( choices are great for children).

He could either take a photograph to share with his mum later or put it in a designated space to preserve it until the next day.

This simple yet effective strategy significantly diminished his post-clean-up biting incidents, sparing him from overwhelming frustration.

It turned out to be a win-win situation, addressing the root cause of his biting behaviour and providing a solution for both the child and the nursery staff.