First of all, relax. If you want to know how to stop hitting, biting, kicking, etc. you’re on the right track.
Second of all, it’s highly likely your precious little one WILL stop hitting, biting, kicking and throwing soon. As a very wise school counselor once pointed out to me, “How many adults do you know that hit and bite?” So, yes, there will be an end to this.
Third, know you’re not alone. All experts seem to agree that hitting and biting are common in young children. Although it can be tiring and frustrating to deal with, it is relatively normal.
But…there’s always a but…
What will also happen is that your child will learn other coping mechanisms for dealing with big feelings. One big factor that will help your child leave these behaviors behind is improvement in their ability to communicate. Language is often a point of frustration for little ones who can’t say what they feel or what they want. As language skills improve, so does behavior.
It’s also likely that your child will adopt a coping mechanism learned from you or other influential adults in their life. Some common coping mechanisms for big feelings such as anger, fear and frustration include:
- Bottling it up (which can often result in a tummy-ache, stress, headaches, etc.)
- Aggressive behaviors such as yelling
- Positive outlets for feelings such as taking deep breathes, exercising, etc.
I think most people would opt for teaching their child positive outlets for anger, fear and frustration, but maybe you’re not sure how to do this. Luckily, teaching these techniques goes hand in hand with eliminating hitting, biting, kicking and throwing things.
Now, let’s discuss those techniques for teaching your little one how to stop hitting and handle strong feelings:
