Posted on December 18, 2007 in latest news
Your son is in a playgroup with a few older children than him. Some of them hit when they don’t get their way, and your son has started doing it too. How should you handle this?
Why does your child hit other children
It would help to understand why your son hits. Hitting like other forms of aggressive behavior is common among one year olds for many reasons.
- It is a form of communication. Your child still lacks in the vocabulary that allows him to say, “You make me so mad” or “Give me back my truck”.
- Hitting can express what words can’t get.
- It is also a way of releasing frustration at being small and being one of many other children.
- It is frustration in being unable to control and manipulate his environment
- It is also frustration in his still limited skills.
- Add to these factors the toddlers natural egocentricity
- A Fundamental lack of impulse control
- Shortage of social skills
- A knack for imitation.
Do’s and Don’ts when your child hits
Just because hitting is understandable does not mean it is acceptable. Long before a child is capable of understanding that he is actually hurting someone when he hits, he is capable of understanding that hitting is not allowed.
- When a child hits, respond immediately, firmly and calmly.
- Anger is likely to only reinforce your son’s ire.
- Slapping or spanking will only teach him that violence is a good way to resolve a dispute.
- Overreacting to the incident will only encourage a repeat performance in the quest for more attention.
- Instead say simply “no hitting. Hitting hurts” and remove your child promptly from the scene of scuffle.
- Without any remonstrations, distract him with a toy or activity.
- Then prepare to repeat the entire sequence many more times before the message starts to seep.
- In the meantime, always make sure that play sessions with other children are carefully supervised.
- Since normal toddler aggression can be aggravated by a lack of sleep and by hunger make sure your son shows up for the playgroup rested and fed.
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February 20th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
MY SON IS IN A PLAY GROUP WITH MIXTURE OF OLDER AND YOUNGER KIDS HE IS 4 AND ONLY SEEMS TO HIT OUT AT YOUNGER KIDS.