19 month old hitting

Wondering if anyone can offer up some advice. Within the last few months, my 19 month old has began hitting for no reason. He was hitting me and DH but we would grab his hand and yell no firmly and he does it much less now. However, he is now swinging and pushing other kids. He will do it to my niece who is 4, the minute he sees her. He recently phased into an older class in daycare and his teacher said he is little handsy. I have noticed that he will raise his arm the minute we walk into his class and the other kids come to greet him. I try to correct it while I am there, but obviously I am not there all day. I also wonder if part of it is, he isn't speaking much yet so it's partly frustration? He really is a sweet boy, but I don't want this to get worse. I have also noticed a ton of scratches on him and when I asked the teacher, she confirmed that one or 2 of the other kids are very handsy as well. Not to say "not my kid" because i know this is something he does as well, but could he be defending himself partially? I just want to learn how to correct it.

19 month old hitting

This is rough. My DD used to do that around that age. And she used to whack herself SO hard that I didn't know how she could stand the pain. We brought it up to her Ped, and were told that it's frustration because she couldn't express herself with words. I would just keep doing what you're doing (hold his hands - say "no hitting", etc).
I wish I had better advice, but it really is just a phase and will stop eventually.

Re: 19 month old hitting

It's typical for that age because the child wants to communicate but doesn't have the means to fully express themselves yet. Just be consistent and it should hopefully be a phase that passes quickly.

However, if your child is coming home from day care with scratches, that's a different story. The teachers need to be on top of that and keeping the children separated, giving time out, etc. I would not be ok with that.

19 month old hitting

Definitely typical, DS did this too. I started putting him in time out for about 30 seconds. I made and still make him sit on the step when he acts out. I would sit with him and talk to him how hitting isn't nice and I would ask him if he was gonna hit anymore. He is now almost 26 months and when he acts up I ask him If he wants to sit on the step and he immediately behaves and listens.

19 month old hitting

we are having the same issue, i believe it's influenced in part by the other kids in day care (he was being bit prior to this occuring).

we have started time out. it seems to help. good luck!

our school uses the term "handsy" as well. and thats all the info they will really give....

ETA this has been going on from about 18 mo til now 21mo

Message edited 12/2/2016 8:26:34 AM.