Throwing toys (and other things) when upset/ super excited

[GreenGranolaMama]

DS is almost 2.5 and has recently started throwing his toys/ pushing over our bar stools/ etc... when he is super excited (like one of his favorite people comes over) or when he is feeling agitated/upset about something. We've never done time outs or anything like that because we haven't really had a reason to so far, so this new behavior has me feeling bewildered in terms of how to react. I've been trying to help him name his feelings ("Wow! Rowan is feeling excited because Papa is home from work, but instead of throwing toys can we jump up and down instead?") or when he is doing it because he is upset ("Rowan is feeling frustrated because he wants to go outside right now. We can go outside after breakfast- now can we pick up your toys together?") So far this hasn't seemed to curb the throwing things at all- and ultimately in both instances we usually end up nursing to calm down. What else can I try? 

[mamazee]

It's possible that when he's excited or angry, all that talk could sound like, "Rowan blah blah blah throw toys blah blah jump up and down." I'd use fewer words, and maybe get down to his level and say, "No throw toys." You can follow that with something more involved, like "It's OK to be frustrated/angry/excited but it isn't OK to throw toys", but I'd start with very few words. If "No throw toys" doesn't work, try phrasing it in the positive instead of the negative, like "Toys stay in hand or on ground" or something. Sometimes "don't" can be a bit of a "blah blah" thing too.

It does take tons and tons of repetition and consistency to see a change in this.

[chel]

I've recently had to deal with dd doing the same.
I went with what pp said, simple positive phrases. For the most part, the behavior has stopped. Can't even think of the last throwing incident. That being said, it didn't seem to work during the heat of the moment, but never the less,dd isn't throwing now.