Before we can address and understand how to handle toddler hitting, we first need to know why, so let’s take a look!
Angry
This is the most common reason why your toddler is hitting. They are angry, and they want to lash out. So if you want to know how to deal with a toddler hitting, you need to know how to deal with an angry toddler!
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Excited
Hitting something can be a release of emotion. It doesn’t have to be a negative emotion either; it can be a positive emotion like excitement or happiness.
This is shown when sports stars score, or win a game. Fists hit their air, which is a release of a sudden rush of positive emotion.
When you notice your toddler hitting, you should seek to understand what happened in the build-up to that. It may simply be excitement.
Frustrated
This is very much the same as anger, but it is a release of frustration so your toddler can reset and try whatever they are doing again.
When trying something difficult that needs a steady hand or concentration, we need to release pent-up frustration before trying again.
Your toddler might be punching to release frustration.
Learned Behavior
This is a principal reason and challenging to deal with unless you are also dealing with the source of this learning.
If you are asking: Why does my toddler keeps hitting me? It could be learned behavior.
Toddlers can learn about punching from folks around them, or even from the TV or online.
Be wary about what your toddler watches on TV and YouTube. Also, discuss your toddler’s hitting habit with folks who will be looking after them, such as preschool staff or babysitters.
They need to watch other kids see if they are hitting too.
Attention
Your toddler might be hitting out because they feel like they are not getting enough attention. We all know that toddlers have a tenancy to constantly demand your attention, which may be something they do to try and get it.
How To Deal With A Toddler Hitting – 5 Tips
Explain Why It Is Wrong To Hit
The first thing you need to do is explain that it is wrong to hit out. There is no good reason to hit. Period.
Your toddler needs to understand that. It is not going to sink in immediately. There will be times when your toddler hits out again, but repeat until the message gets through.
Talking To Toddlers is an excellent program designed by an NLP Practitioner that will help you discuss these issues in a way your toddler will understand!
If your toddler is angry or frustrated, they need to learn how to deal with these emotions much better. This is something that you should be teaching them.
Kids are not born with the knowledge of dealing with emotions, and they need to be taught. When dealing with anger or frustration, the best thing to do is take time away from the situation and take long, deep breaths. When your toddler needs to do this, you should support them.
Stop Them Immediately – Every Time
Want to know how to react to a toddler hitting? When your toddler hits out, stop them.
Every time.
It doesn’t matter if you are out with friends, family, or on your own, hitting cannot happen. If you see it happening, stop it.
If you see friends or family hitting, stop that too; otherwise, it will look like you are only stopping your toddler from hitting. But, to your toddler, this will seem unfair.
If you see them getting angry, and they deal with it in the correct manner, praise it. Reward it.
Get a reward chart for your toddler and add stars, ticks, or whatever will make your toddler happy and feel rewarded. When they get to a certain number of rewards, it is time for the big reward like a day out or even a new toy.
Withdraw Attention
If you want to know how to deal with a toddler hitting, you need to understand that they might hit out because they want your attention.
There are two ways to deal with this:
It would help if you questioned whether or not you are not giving them enough attention and change.
Withdraw attention when your toddler is hitting.
If you flip out when your toddler hits, you give them attention. For example, if you sit your toddler down and tell them off for 20 minutes, you give them attention.
Withdrawing attention will give them a message that hitting is not the way to get your attention. Good behavior is the best way!
Many toddlers will go through a stage of hitting out. So let’s face it; kids are not born with ways to cope with increased emotions.
They need you to teach them how they should be dealing with anger and frustration.
These are the two most common reasons why your toddler is hitting.
How do you react when a toddler hits you?
It depends on how many times your toddler has hit and whether or not you have got to the root of the problem.
If your toddler is hitting because they are angry, you should teach them other ways to deal with it.
If your toddler is hitting because they want your attention, you should withdraw attention.
How do you punish a 2-year-old for hitting?
First, you should get to the bottom of why your toddler is hitting. Toddler discipline is a tricky subject but not impossible.
Especially when you know what the cause is, you should be talking to your 2-year-old about why they are hitting.
Explain that it is wrong to hit and set up a reward system when dealing with their emotions correctly.
Conclusion
The 5 tips on this page will help you if you need to know how to deal with a toddler hitting!
The most important thing is that you speak to your toddler to figure out what is going on and why they are hitting. Once you find out this info, you will be in a much better place to address it.
Rewarding good behavior is better than punishing bad behavior. Your toddler will learn that they will only get your attention if they are behaving well. Understand why toddlers hit, and then positively reinforce times when they react in a better way.
