1.5 yr old hitting, how to dicipline

Question

When she is told no, or stopped doing something she shouldn't be, she hits. What is the best way to deal with this behaviour? Thanks.

Answer 1

When our kids were naughty we put them into a quiet room and told them they couldnt come out for 5 minutes. we never actually shut the door but to start with we waited outside to stop them leaving. They soon learned that if they were bad, they had to stay in that room untill we said they could come out.

This worked really well with my two boys (3 and 5). We found this increadibly effective and they now very rarely need to be sent to the quiet room.

Also you need to remember that your children learn from you by example. In other words, if you hit them, you are teching them that hitting is ok !! All the worst behaved children I know are 'smacked' by their parents. Sad !!!!

  

Answer 2

Get down to eye level with her and firmly tell her no and that it's bad to hit people. Then put her in time out for a few minutes .

Don't lose your cool.

I have seen/heard people put their kids under a cold shower with clothes on and all when the kid has a tantrum, but if that's such a good solution.....I'm not sure.

Answer 3

At 1.5 behaviour is a method of communication. A way of saying "look at me" or a way of saying "i dont like that decision"...so there's a few things you can try:

1) when she hits simply take her hand and say no and then ignore her. This way she is getting minimal attention.

2) when she hits take her over to a quiet area eg: sofa, if she has a small chair and sit her down. Tell her a firm "hands to yourself" (this reinforces what you want not want you dont) and give her something to do like colouring, jigsaw-something quiet to calm down with.

(at this age a formal time out isnt really appropraite as she wont understand it).

3) Distraction-when you have to say no to something be prepared for the reaction and try to prevent it-when you say no give her a task instead eg: "no you cant have that but do you want to help me do this...".

4) Encourage communication skills-part of physical behaviour is because children do not have the verbal skills so continue reading books, listening and singing rhymes etc. See if you can find any books on emotions and behaviour to read with her.

5) Praise her when she is good-she'll learn to get positive attention.

Dont worry she's at that glorious age where behaviour and new boundaries are explored. Just be consistant and it will pass.

Answer 4

Aw! she's so little she still needs guiding.... the word discipline comes from the word disciple...which means to teach.... when you tell a child not to do something you kinda leave a 'hole'.... show her what you would like to see instead... eg.. if she's smacking take her hand and show her how to touch gentley... saying 'gentle' so that she knows what you want, if she's messing around and you want her to stop give her something else to do instead.... distract her... i have an 18mth old... it really works..... good luck hun!

Answer 5

well.. she is too young ... once she is a bit older ,itl be easier for her to follow orders.

for now just ignore it, by deviating her attention rel quick!

Answer 6

I do wonder about some of these answers on here..  I have an 18 month old and he has and will sometimes do the same thing.  We just tell him 'no' and stop his hand from hitting us.  Usually this makes him cry, so we distract him with something else.  He is too little for strict disipline, but I do believe that they need to be told right from wrong even at this age.

Good luck.  xx

Answer 7

Give her a taste of her own medicine. Send her to bed nursing a sore bottom. Problem will be solved in a couple of days.

Answer 8

My 1.5 year old was biting and hitting alot.  When I would tell her "no" and make her sit by herself (only for about 15 seconds, lol..), it would just make her more angry and aggressive.

My new strategy has been to say "no hitting because mommy loves you" and get her to pat me and say "so-so, mama" (sorry) and hug her, then she forgets that she wanted to hurt me and becomes a sweetheart again.

I say whatever works.  No need to discipline or "teach them a lesson" at this age.