No parent likes it when they call from school to say their child has hit another child. Hitting, pounding, or pushing may seem like a normal part of play for young children, especially when one wants an object and the other wants an object. They seem to be part of their learning experiences and so there is cause and effect, repetition, and maybe hitting in between as the norm.
But when a boy or girl hits another and is not redirected, then he learns that it is a normal behavior that he can repeat because there are no negative consequences of doing so. When it comes to hitting other children, it is not acceptable. That is why it is important to carry out child discipline and that parents intervene in this.
Why do little children hit
Young children do not understand if no one tells them what the consequences are of hitting someone. After all, it is common in the game to throw balls, high-fives, or touch others as part of a healthy interaction. The mind of a young child is not able to understand that hitting is wrong and that it can be a big problem.
Young children often do not want to act badly or inappropriately, they do not understand that their actions can harm others. They are in the egocentric stage and they think only about what happens to them. Knowing this can help you and discipline your child without going into a rage when he hits a child. Remember that you do not know that what you are doing is wrong. When your child is old enough to know what is really wrong, then the matter becomes more serious.
Perhaps you are one of the parents who are surprised when they see their child hitting another child. It can happen out of nowhere, because your child is tired, hungry, over-excited, or for any other reason. Maybe he wants something that someone else has, takes it or creates resistance if they want to take it away. It is all up to the adults supervising the situation to stop the behavior while using appropriate discipline. to minimize the chances of hitting happening again.
Tips for a child to hit others
- Talk to your child before they join in hitting games. Tell him the appropriate ways to act, you will have to tell him in easy-to-understand language. Once your child is old enough to really understand what you are saying, they will be old enough to start learning right from wrong.
- Monitor your child's behavior and be prepared to react quickly. Too often, parents are not attentive enough for young children to play together. They are talking to another adult or looking at their phones and see no warning signs of potentially harmful behavior beginning. Don't trust someone else to take care of your child. Your child and the behavior are always your responsibility. At the same time, don't overprotect him.
- Redirect any behavior that can lead to physical hitting. In many cases, what starts out as fun and games ends with someone hurting themselves. Don't be afraid to remove something that could cause harm or distress. Even an inflatable toy that doesn't hurt a child on its own can reinforce the negative behaviors of hitting each other and you should just be discouraged.
- Remove a child from any situation where he deliberately hits another child. If a child is a toddler and has started to socialize, consider ending the game and leaving the place with your child. You should teach your child that hitting another child ruins the activity he is doing and that he cannot continue, even if he is having a good time.
- In situations where you cannot leave, separate your child from others and do not allow him to play with them. After a reasonable time and after everyone has calmed down, you can talk to your child about the incident and then re-introduce the social game, but making sure to be aware of your child's actions. While some of this behavior is normal, you should closely monitor and stop it.
- Stay calm and don't let your child see you get angry. You have to show a calm but firm face so that your child knows that you love him but that you do not approve of bad actions, such as hitting. Avoid overreacting, use redirection and firm words like 'no hitting' while taking you away. Son of the place.
- Don't let your child play with other children while engaging in aggressive behaviors with other children. Investigate how he can feel emotionally depending on the circumstances that surround you because perhaps there is something emotional that makes him act that way.
- It is your job to protect your child and instill appropriate behaviors. If your child hits another you must act and intervene. If it is another child who is beating him and your child is beating to defend himself, you will have to talk to the parents of the fall child or take the necessary actions to stop this behavior of the other child if the other parent does not recognize that there is really a problem. You will have to choose your words carefully to prevent someone from becoming overly defensive and even ending the friendship of the other parents.
- Be flexible. Sometimes the hitting behavior can occur due to certain circumstances and it is necessary to assess the variables that surround the context so that it does not happen again. Having a child who hits does not mean that he will grow up to be violent or to become a bully. It is your job to stop the action and appropriately discipline your child through loving guidance and age-appropriate communications. It is up to you and your unconditional love to guide your child's behavior with respect and effectively.