"Addressing a Child's Hitting Behavior Wisely: 7 Common Causes and Effective Strategies to Manage Aggression."
Understanding Children Who Tend to Hit: 7 Possible Causes
Children who frequently hit others can cause concern for parents. However, it is important for us to realize that this behavior does not always indicate that the child is naughty or will become a future bully.
Deborah Glasser, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist in Richmond, Virginia, refers to this phase as a developmental stage in which children tend to hit, typically occurring between the ages of 1 and 2.
Causes of Hitting Behavior in Children and How to Address It
So, what actually causes children to hit? Let's explore some possible causes and how to handle them.
1. Attempting to communicate
Like adults, toddlers can also experience boredom, fatigue, or overwhelm. The difference is that they do not yet have adequate verbal skills to identify and communicate these emotions. This can lead to escalating frustration.
According to Miriam Schechter, M.D., a pediatric professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York, "Because your toddler's vocabulary is not fully developed, they are more likely to use their bodies to express feelings or show their disapproval."
2. Defending territory
Children tend to hit more often when they are at playgrounds, playing with peers, or in crowds. They may be worried that their toys, territory, or attention will be taken away. In an attempt to prevent this, they resort to aggressive actions.
3. Having a bad day
Sometimes, children can feel angry or cranky because they do not know how to cope with their problems or lack the necessary skills. Dr. Schechter states, "Even children who usually don't hit or bite can lose control when they are stressed or at the end of a tiring day."
4. Imitating others
Children who hit may imitate the behavior of those around them, such as siblings, friends, or their parents. Dr. Jennifer Shu, a pediatrician in Atlanta, says, "For some children, it may be because they want to experiment. They see others hitting and think, 'Hmm, let's see what it feels like.'"
5. Natural temperamental traits
Some children are born with more temperamental personalities, which leads them to resort to using their hands, fists, or teeth in various situations.
Child psychiatrist Stanley Turecki, M.D., explains, "It's heavily related to temperament. Some children have calmer temperaments, while others are more prone to acting out."
6. Trying something new
Hitting can be a child's way of understanding something new in their surroundings. "If I do this, what will happen?" This question often arises in their relationships with others.
Theodore Dix, Ph.D., an emeritus professor of human development and family sciences at the University of Texas at Austin, reveals, "They don't have the skills yet to get what they want in a reasonable way, so they may resort to being forceful or excessively defiant."
7. Needing personal space
Toddlers may not have a good understanding of spatial relationships. If they feel crowded by other children in a tight area, they may resort to hitting (or scratching or biting) as a way to free themselves.
Managing a Child Who Hits
Addressing this behavior requires understanding and patience. As parents, it is important to read the signs and understand the underlying causes of the behavior.
By teaching children how to manage their emotions effectively and providing them with better alternatives for self-expression, we can help them grow into responsible and caring individuals.
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