Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/the-abcs-of-biting-using-behavior-analysis-to-approach-challenging-behaviors/5026563/
Some of the hardest conversations I have had with families have centered around aggressive behaviors in the classroom. It is never easy to hear that your child has been hit, kicked, pushed or bitten. It is equally as difficult when your child is the aggressor.
It is usually better to be proactive rather than reactive, especially when dealing with aggressive behaviors in early childhood. Being proactive means to identify and prevent potential problems. When we do this, we save ourselves (and our little friends) the unfortunate response of reactivity in the moment. For example, my dog loves food. If food is anywhere near my dog, he will eat it. I often sit on my couch with my dog and a snack and watch TV. If I need to leave the couch, I know that I must bring my food with me. If I leave my food near him, he will eat it. Bringing my food with me is a proactive strategy. Leaving my food and then yelling at my dog for eating it would be reactive. Saving myself from getting angry and saving my dog from a tummy ache seems worth a proactive approach.
As a behavior analyst, I rely on data ...