If it's your child's first or second or third hit, take it easy. The thing to do is to gently, calmly move their arm away from the person they are hitting, so they can't hit again. You can let them try. Just keep their arm from landing on you or anyone else.
A 2- or 3-year-old who has been hitting, biting, or throwing food, for example, should be told in a calm, neutral voice why the behavior is unacceptable and taken to a designated timeout area — a kitchen chair or bottom stair — for a minute or two to calm down.
At what age does hitting or biting happen? It is very typical for a child who is 2 or 3 years old to start hitting or biting to express frustration or to get something they want. Toddlers have more motor control than infants, but don't yet have a lot of language to communicate what they need or want.
Try blocking the hit so they never make contact and then completely ignore the incident. Kids thrive on reaction and it doesn't matter whether it's good or bad. It's kind of the same concept as ignoring the kid who hits and giving all the attention to the kid who got hit.
Testing boundaries: Toddlers are naturally curious and often test the limits to gauge your reaction. They might hit you and then laugh to see how you respond. Seeking attention: Your child may hit you to get your attention, and when they see your reaction, they might find it amusing, causing them to laugh.
Although babies initially hit as a method of exploration, if the person they've hit laughs or looks surprised, the baby might find this amusing and think its a fun game to play. Your baby isn't trying to hurt you, but play a game with you.
There are many times when your child's behavior warms and embraces your heart. But, there are other times when it probably drives you a little crazy. As a toddler or preschooler, your child may lack the self-control to express anger peacefully and may naturally lash out, perhaps hitting or biting in frustration.
Time-out or time-in: For some children, a time-out or time-in can be the most effective way to deter them from hitting again. Time-out or time-in teaches children how to calm themselves down and it removes them from the environment. It is important to teach them how to regulate themselves during this calm-down time.
Teach Kids that Aggression is Wrong
Hold them and explain, “No hitting. It is wrong.” Remember that you may have to repeat this rule numerous times, using the same words, until your child gets it. Be firm and consistent each time your child becomes aggressive.
Research. There is a bunch of research that is done on the effects of parenting and disciplining on kids of every age, but let me just save you the trouble, and let you know that NO. You are most likely not scarring your child for life when you yell at them or lose your cool every once in a while.
Yes, yelling can be used as a weapon, and a dangerous one at that. Research shows that verbal abuse can, in extreme situations, be as psychologically damaging as physical abuse.
Kids Can't Learn in "Fight-or-Flight Mode" "Yelling is about releasing anger; it's not an effective way to change behavior," says Laura Markham, Ph. D., a clinical psychologist and author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting.
Many toddlers will begin the act of hitting when an object is taken away from them or a demand is ignored. Whether a child hits a parent's face or an arm, the fact that a toddler is hitting in general is the issue. Toddlers typically hit to assert their will on their immediate environment.
Babies bite, pinch and pull hair to work out cause and effect. Toddlers often do it to express feelings. Respond to this behaviour by saying 'No', but stay calm. Try not to give attention to the behaviour.
Hitting can range from an open-handed slap to a closed-fisted punch, and some outbursts may even injure themselves or others. Many things can trigger aggressive behaviors like hitting, scratching, and biting, but these are some of the most common in children with autism: Feeling very anxious or stressed.
But as a general guideline, I would suggest that most corporal punishment be finished prior to the first grade (six years old). It should taper off from there and stop when the child is between the ages of ten and twelve. Created with Sketch.
Tantrums happen most frequently between ages 1 and 4, averaging up to one a day. They typically decrease when a child starts school. At this age, they're talking more, so they can express their needs verbally. Tantrums usually last between two and 15 minutes.
Causes of Toddler Aggression
Your little one is just learning about social cues, language, impulse control, emotional regulation, and boundaries. Sometimes they might feel frustrated or overwhelmed—and that can cause poor behavior because they're not sure how to handle the situation.
DON'T punish.
Our focus should be to help the child learn positive ways to manage their big emotions. Punishing the child or telling him he is “bad” or “naughty” only furthers his discouragement and makes future aggression more likely. Instead, use appropriate positive DISCIPLINE techniques.