Returning User? Login Here | Bookmark this site


Web GreatDad.com

Favorites

Tell a Friend

Subscribe via RSS

Enter your email

RSS Feed

XML Sitemap

greatdad/sitemap

Age Groups > Preschool > Behavior

Biting, Hitting, and other common misbehaviors

Rate This Article:

Ask about this article

By GreatDad Writers

Print

Biting and hitting are obviously signs of aggression; but they are also signs of frustration. Words don't come easily for toddlers below 2 years, and hitting may sometimes seem to be the only way they can express their frustrations. Parents should understand such behavior as a form of ‘communication’ and try to understand what is really going on in their children’s lives.

Here are some suggestions to help control your kids’ behavior:

Stay Calm: Don’t respond with yelling and hitting your children – you will only exacerbate the situation.
Avoid lectures: Toddlers are not capable of cognitively understanding the problem of hitting others. Firmly say "No bite!"
Show them it hurts: Let your children know that it feels real bad when they act aggressively
Teach them control: Show them alternative ways of dealing with their feelings – like talking them out or counting to ten before they break out
Solve the problem: Separate the victim of biting/hitting from the situation. Administer proper first aid if required (see below). Don’t ask for explanations from the aggressor
Be realistic and appreciative: Show faith in your children’s natural goodness and their ability to change for the better

A short guide to treating Human Bites:

Clean the hurt area with soap and water Cover the area immediately with a sterile bandage
If the child’s skin is broken, it is time to visit the doctor

Disclaimer: The above information is commonsense reflection drawn from general experience. If you are looking for expert medical advice, please consult your doctor.

Subscribe to the pregnancy newsletter or 4-8 year olds newsletter.



Recently Asked Questions

Email this | Print

Post a Comment


First Name:
City:
Email Address:
Comments:	Total Words: (400 words*)
	Enter the characters you see in the image. They are case sensitive.

Shopping

Article List

	How Can You Discipline Your Child Gently?
	How Easy Is it to Improve Your Baby's Table Manners?
	Did You Know? - Dads as parents
	Gender roles and the importance of fathers
	Tips for Dads trying to cut down on TV watching time
	Eight Tips for dads trying to feed finicky eaters
	A nighttime guide to your children’s terrors
	Head banging in children
	Don’t give up on your picky eaters
	Breath-Holding in Toddlers
	Countering their No’s
	Liberate the pacifiers
	Toddler Tantrums

All section articles

1 2

Forum Topics

Nokia N900 Review Posts: 0 Views: 7 Hormones and isolation... A perfect storm Posts: 0 Views: 32 Educational Content in Cartoons Posts: 1 Views: 41 Help! Work / relationship issues - need advice Posts: 0 Views: 79 How gay dad act as a father? Posts: 2 Views: 131

More Forum