how to teach "gentle touching" to an 11 mo old?

[mckittre]

He grabs at our faces, pulls animals fur, sticks his fingers in peoples and animals eyes... None of it with malicious intent, but he just doesn't seem to get it. We try to tell him "gentle touch" every time, and try to demonstrate gentle touching. I've even tried to grab his hand and move it in the correct way, but he just jerks it away. Any tips? His capacity for causing harm is growing as he gets bigger. He's relatively responsive to "no" in other contexts (electrical cords and the woodstove), so he's capable of listening - he just doesn't seem to get this concept.

[BfBobby]

I registered just so I could respond lol! This was my lo last year and it took a thousand and one repetitions of "Eaaaaaaaaaaasy" and making a petting motion for him to get it. Keep at it and he will get it eventually! I remember that stage all too well and it felt like it lasted forever.

[dogretro]

Take his hand and move it so he strokes you gently every time while saying "nice touches" or "gentle" or whatever every single time. Even if he pulls his hand away, take it again next time and try to show him while telling him. Eventually he will understand and if he goes to grab you, you can say "nice touches" and he will stop and pet you nicely. It may take a while, but will go quicker if you have him pet you every time.

[ma_vie_en_rose]

In addition to showing how to gently touch whatever it is my DD3 is touching, I turn it on her and pet her gently like a game. She finds it hilarious and tries to them imitate it on me or the cat. Sometimes we play with a doll and do it. It just takes a lot of repetition. DD3 is to the point now where she may start out too rough but changes immediately with a reminder to be gentle.