What To Do When Your Toddler Behaves Aggressivlely

It’s a wonder when your typically tamed toddler starts to hit, bite and shove. Here’s what you to do when toddlers behave aggressively.

When your toddler plays with her friends, you may see her engage in aggressive behavior, such as hitting, shoving, or even biting. 

As a means of gaining independence, expressing frustration, and developing self-control, these types of behaviors are common among children. 

In this article by experts, you’ll learn about the most common causes and solutions for toddler aggression, as well as whether or not you should be concerned.

The Factors Contributing to Child Aggression

The fact that your youngster is misbehaving does not mean that they will turn into a criminal. Anger or a territorial dispute may be to blame for unpleasant bullying tactics. 

It’s possible that your child is upset about something, but he lacks the ability to express his feelings in a less offensive manner. His instinctual response may be to attack one of his peers.

Put yourself in your child’s shoes and see what it’s like. You’re small. You’re looking for total freedom. You’re scarcely able to speak. 

Do you believe that others can read your thoughts? Now, the toy that should be yours has been taken away from you. Why would a child lash out in frustration?

Strategies and Treatments for Aggressive Behavior in Toddlers

If you respond calmly and consistently to your toddler’s misbehavior when he acts out, he will learn to do the same in the future. Here are a few strategies for dealing with the typical aggressive conduct of children.

1. Immediately respond. 

The sooner a parent or caregiver intervenes in a child’s aggressive behavior, the less likely she will forget what she did. Check that the rule and its rationale are clear to your child before you enforce it: “We don’t hit others. Hitting is painful.”

2. Don’t give in to your child’s demands. 

The acquisition of a coveted object should never be the result of a toddler’s hostile conduct. Otherwise, he’ll learn that behaving badly is a way to acquire what he desires.

3. The victim should be comforted. 

First and first, provide comfort to the injured youngster. That’s because you don’t want the best way to attract your attention to be hurting you.

Understand the aggressor’s point of view. Acknowledging the emotions of your hyperactive kid may also help him relax. “I know what it’s like to have a toy taken away from you.” 

4. Think of other possibilities. 

The more linguistic and logical skills your child gains, that helps her find new strategies to deal with her unpleasant emotions. 

When a child is actively involved in formulating a solution, she is considerably more likely to put it into action.

5. Good behavior should be praised. 

It’s important to recognize and reward your child’s “excellent” social behavior. 

In the wake of a friendly get-together, you might add, “Your friend had a great time playing with you today. When you freely and unreservedly give your toys, it truly improves my day.”

Genuinely praising them is just one of what to do, to prevent your toddlers to behave aggressively.

6. Keep an eye on his behavior among his peers. 

Keep a close eye on your child while they are engaging with other children if they’re showing signs of aggressive behavior. As soon as the misconduct begins, try to intervene immediately. 

Declare your displeasure with a firm “no” and place your youngster in time-out for two minutes (or more if you aren’t at home).

7. Don’t respond in a hostile manner. 

Never beat or bite your child to demonstrate to him “what it feels like” as a punishment for their violent behavior. As long as he’s smaller than you, it’s perfectly acceptable to strike someone.

Aggression in Toddlers: When Should You Be Concerned?

Fortunately for parents, there is good news. You don’t have to worry about your child’s aggressive conduct because it’s a primal expression of frustration, rage, and a desire to control. 

Your toddler’s outbursts will likely lessen as she develops new means of expressing herself verbally and physically.

These are just some of the ways of what you can do when toddlers behave aggressively.

Nevertheless, if your child is persistently hostile to others (particularly at preschool), you should seek the opinion of a mental health specialist.

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