Aggressive behavior, including hitting, can be a normal part of your toddler’s development. Here’s why it happens and what you can do about it.
Why Toddlers Hit
Toddlers are delightful because they learn rapidly, become independent, and want to do things themselves. Even with their growing independence, toddlers lack the verbal abilities to convey their demands, which may lead to frustration and aggression.
Hitting and other related acts peak around age two or three, when toddlers have tremendous sentiments but can’t articulate them. Toddlers hit because:
- Testing limits. Toddlers are learning to be independent from their caretakers. This may imply stretching accepted limits.
- Little impulse control. Although toddlers understand the rules against striking, they may struggle to avoid hitting or biting when irritated. Their impulse control may not completely develop until they’re close to four years old, with loving parents and caretakers.
- Peer annoyance. Toddlers are learning critical social skills, including waiting, taking turns, and sharing. If another kid snatches their toy or they have to wait in line for a park slide, they may strike in anger.
- It’s overwhelming. Overstimulated, agitated, angry, unhappy, or otherwise upset toddlers may strike to convey their feelings.
RELATED: 5 Reasons For Toddler Sleep Regression
How To Respond When Your Toddler Hits
Manage child hitting, biting, and other tough behavior with these tips:
Try to stay calm.
Yelling, spanking, or telling your kid they’re terrible won’t modify their behavior; it will merely rile them up and offer them new things to try. They learn to manage their anger by seeing you do so.
Define limitations.
Respond swiftly if your toddler hits someone. Get them out of the situation for a moment. One minute each year is recommended, so give your 2-year-old a 2-minute break. This helps them calm down. Labeling your child’s emotions and giving safe behavior options like tearing paper or playing with Play-Doh may help. This improves emotional control and coping. Tell your kid, “No hitting. Hitting hurts.” Don’t lecture your toddler since they can’t see themselves in another child’s shoes or change their conduct with words.
Cause logical results.
Remove your child from the indoor play center ball pit immediately if they toss balls at other kids. While sitting with your toddler and watching the other kids play, tell them they may join in when they’re ready without throwing balls. A ball pit may challenge their impulse control even if your child understands the concept.
Discipline continuously.
Respond to episodes as consistently as feasible. Your consistent reaction creates a pattern your youngster learns to anticipate. Your predictability will strengthen brain connections for emotional control.
Beware of physical punishment like spanking.
Don’t smack your kid, even if they hit someone else. For one, spanking trains children to tackle issues aggressively and doesn’t
