Kitten likes to bite-will he outgrow it?

Question
Dear Norman,
  I am raising an orphan kitten who is now 5 weeks old and he is quite a charming character.  Although he can be a loving, purring boy, he also can be quite the biter when playing and can bite hard if you pick him up to divert him or remove him from something he has he mind on and shouldn't. I have two older cats, neutered males, that are so good with him, but he will even bite them.  They in turn reprimand him which makes him lay his little ears back and then he jumps at them to retaliate. I am sure some of this is cat play and I am sure he considers me one of the group since I raised him.  However I am concerned he might not outgrow this and already those tiny teeth can hurt.  Is there something I should be doing to correct this now as a mother cat would have done, do I  leave it up to my older cats to correct him or will he outgrow this?  I do not remember a kitten biting quite this hard and so much even in play.  He is quite a healthy little guy with a unique wirey haircoat.  My husband is crazy about this kitten and the kitten has really attached himself to my husband. Gee and I was the one who got up in the night to feed him! Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Lisa

Answer
Lisa,

You really understand the concept of kitten play!  You have noticed how roughly your kitten and your established cats play.  This is normal cat play.

Next time you go to the vet for a shot watch how hard the vet has to punch that hypodermic needle into the cat to get it through the skin.  This is because cat skin is incredibly tough, so the scratching and biting is no problem, when your skin is so tough!  But, we humans have soft skin and the kitten needs to be socialized to play more gently with us soft skinned humans.

When we are handling kittens at home, we do not use teases or toys (until they are much older).  Instead we play the holding, cuddling, stroking, talking softly game.  Kittens love this attention.  When the biting and scratching behavior begins, we put the kitten down and walk away.  It does not take the kitten long to figure out that he needs to play more gently with humans.  You and your husband need to be absolutely consistent and persistent to modify this behavior.  Saying "NO" will do absolutely nothing.  Putting the kitten down and walking away is something the kitten will hate.

BTW, mother cats do not socialize kittens to people, kittens need to learn this from people.  Once the kitten is playing consistently gently with people, then the teases and toys may be employed.

Good luck and best regards... Norm.