A Toddler’s Hitting Problems

A toddler’s hitting problem can be troublesome. In this article, learn more about the causes and solutions for toddler hitting. You can help prevent your child from behaving in this way by doing a few things.

Seeing your child whack another child can make you reassess your parenting abilities in a heartbeat. Even if it’s upsetting, this conduct isn’t your responsibility, and your child isn’t doomed to a life of bullying. This type of behavior is common in children between the ages of 1 and 2, which I call the “hitting stage” of development.

Continue reading to discover the underlying causes of your child’s aggression, as well as strategies for getting him or her to quit hitting.

Factors Contributing to Child Abuse

A sense of compassion isn’t fully developed in toddlers until they’re at least three years old. Even if your child understands the concept, she may be unable to control her impulses because 1-year-olds have absolutely no control over their impulses yet.

Toddlers don’t purposefully damage anyone’s feelings because they don’t yet understand their own or anyone else’s emotions. Innocent enough, yet they are usually the motivations for their violent acts.

She’s attempting to get her point across. Toddlers, like the rest of us, get bored, hungry, weary, and overwhelmed just as easily as the rest of us. In contrast, they are unable to express their feelings since they lack the language ability to do so.

He’s defending his territory. The likelihood of your child getting into a fight on the playground or at a friend’s house may have increased since you first noticed this trend in your child’s behavior. Why is this so? When he says, “Stop!” or “Mine!” a swarm of kids swarms around him, snatching his toys and pushing him to the ground. Anger management is a skill that takes time and practice for youngsters to learn.

The girl’s mood has deteriorated considerably. When your child is having a bad day, he may lash out because he’s irritable and lacks the ability to deal with the situation effectively. Sometimes even youngsters who aren’t known to hit or bite can lose control when they’re tired or stressed out.

He’s mimicking someone else’s actions. After witnessing his older sister and a friend fight, your toddler may want in on the activity as well. The learning curve for some youngsters is steeper than others.

Her nature is to be irrational. Some children—those who are naturally more aggressive—have a tendency to take the initiative by clenching their fists or grinding their teeth. A great deal is determined by one’s personality. When Elmo is snatched from a child’s grasp, some kids simply shrug and move on, while others go into street-fighter mode.

He’s expanding his horizons. Cause and effect is a favorite topic of exploration for young children. In addition, they’re making do with the few resources they do have. They are more inclined to be aggressive or confrontational in their pursuit of their goals since they lack understanding and experience.

She has a need for privacy. In terms of spatial relations, toddlers aren’t very well-versed. As a result, they are frequently confined to small spaces where they are forced to share space with other children. They instinctively try to fight their way out of a situation.

Toddler Hitting Solutions

The manner you respond to your child’s outburst is crucial in preventing more damage. A general rule of thumb: Make eye contact with him as you kneel down on the ground and say, “I’m here to tell you that you have a serious problem.” “There will be no hitting. It’s painful to be hit.” Explaining too much can confuse children and have the opposite effect you’re hoping for. Involving your youngster in conversation can lead to an increase in aggressive behavior.

You can place him in an immediate one-minute time-out if he does this again. Disciplining your child for every time he or she hits will teach him or her that violence is never acceptable.

Remember that toddlers don’t mean harm when they strike. Your child is well-intentioned; she simply needs to improve her communication skills in order to effectively convey her goals and needs. For a month or two, toddlers go through various phases. Anything that only lasts a brief time is generally not a cause for concern.

Helpful related articles: BitingHolding Breath SpellsDisciplining Your Young Child