This Is What You Need To Do If Your Toddler Likes To Hit

Mother must have been surprised to see the Little One suddenly hit his friend while playing until he cried. After being investigated, it turned out that this was not the first time he had hit. Before you feel a bad mother, let's look at the causes and ways to deal with children under the age of five (toddlers) who like to hit. First of all, Mother needs to accept that the behavior of the child who likes to hit is not always a mistake or lack of Mother in educating children. This also does not mean that your child will grow up to be a child who likes to abuse other children. Hands are a communication tool, especially for toddlers who are not yet fluent. Understanding why children hit, will help Mother to direct the Little One.

Various Possible Reasons for Toddler Hitting

Many toddlers do behave aggressively in their infancy. This can be caused by many things, from what Mother realized and did not. Below are a few of them:

• Children try to defend their area or property

Children can abuse in the midst of many children who might knock them out, pick up toys, or take turns playing. If his words are no longer heard by other children, he might hit.

• Not able to express his feelings

Children do not find the right words to express their needs or desires. Frustration due to not being able to express what they want or feel, can make children prefer to use their hands to hit.

• Feel uncomfortable

He can hit when feeling tired, hungry, sleepy, thirsty, or feel other discomfort. Mother can reduce this possibility by making sure she has enough food and gets enough sleep before playing with her friends.

• Change in the family

Toddlers can suddenly become hit or bite for certain reasons such as major changes in the family. This change could be moving house, the birth of a new sister, or domestic violence. Note the various things that might be the cause of his habit of hitting it for later to be dealt with.

• Lack of activity to channel energy

Sometimes he hits because he doesn't have room to channel his energy. Mother can start to increase her time to play outside the home so that children can move more freely, although still under the supervision of Mother.

Underdeveloped impulse control makes them choose to hit or bite as a way to express themselves. Even though this is normal, it does not mean you can ignore it. Mother needs to make sure she knows that this aggressive behavior is unacceptable.

Tips For Toddlers Stop Hitting

Mother's reaction when she saw him hit could be the key to changing his habits. Let's look at the following guide to accompany a child who likes to hit.

• Avoid retaliating by using violence

Beating, pinching, or carrying out any physical action that includes violence against children will only make the child think that using hands and feet is a solution. Though Mother was wanted to tell that hitting and kicking was not good to do.

• Keep away from children or other people

If he hits, if possible, keep him away from other children to distract him. You can point it at other toys. If he is taking the other child's toys, you should avoid him from the toy so he knows that being rude makes him not get anything.

• Encourage children to discuss about their actions

After calm down, if possible, invite him to discuss why he is hitting. "You don't want your toy taken?" "Are you sleepy?" "Do you want to eat the food your friend eats?" Teach your child to be able to convey his feelings well, so that he then learns that saying the things he means is more effective than hitting. After that, Mother can say that she can return to playing only if she can have fun without hurting other children.

• Say "Beating is painful"

You can squat until your eyes stare at the same level as your eyes. Say softly but firmly, "Beating is sick. Hurting others is not good. ”Explain briefly that it's okay to feel angry. But make sure he keeps his temper so as not to hurt the friend. If he continues to beat, Mother can keep the Little One from his friends, and punish him by asking him to stay in one place for one minute. This can give him a chance to calm down.

• Ask the child to apologize

Although maybe he still refused or was not sincere, but at least Mother had tried to instill good habits. Children may not be able to imagine themselves in the position of the child they hit. But continue to help him understand and realize the consequences of his actions.

• Teach to use hands pleasantly.

Mother needs to give time to hug, caress, or massage the little one so that he learns to use his hands gently. If he wants to start beating, Mother can divert it for example with the movement "Tos!"

• Avoid giving what he wants when hitting

He needs to learn that hitting will bring nothing but punishment or neglect. Conversely, talking and hugging might be a more effective way.

• Limit the child's time accessing media

Games, movies, or TV shows can make it easy for children to imitate screaming, threatening, to hitting. So, make sure you also accompany, supervise or limit what children watch through the media.

Changing bad behavior can also be done by praising good actions taken by children. For example, praise him when he can ask his friend to take turns using good sentences. Always maintain good parenting for the sake of his future. No less important, consistent in disciplining a child every time he hits, so toddlers learn that there is no opportunity and room for violence. If hitting behavior continues, do not hesitate to ask for professional help, such as consulting a child's psychology.