my toddler hits (x-post)

[rainbowmoon]

(I just x-posted this to the toddlers forum as I wasn't sure where to put it)

ds is almost 14mo and hits everyone including the cat...I have told him "no" and will usually put him down when he does it to me and explain to him we don't hit others..obviously he doesn't understand though. so I am at a loss as to how to teach him hitting isn't aceptable..any ideas or is he just too young to know this yet? btw he does it when he's really excited as well as when he's mad/having a tantrum.

[kathipaul]

I responded in toddlers.

[InochiZo]

I have not found "no," "dangerous" or anyother verbal response to help with my 12 mo old's behavior. He finds any response reinforcing. I have found that showing and modeling appropriate behavior effective for hitting animals and eating/mouthing barkdust. Then we show a lots of emotion and excitment for the appropriate behavior e.g. "nice soft touch" "you are petting the kitty."