Toddlers are darling. The way they explore, touch and babble is simply amazing, but with the positive exploration, aggression may also be a dominant behavior during this time. In fact aggression is common with toddlers, but it is important to also set rules.
Why Do Toddlers Get Aggressive?
This period of life is when your toddler is exploring independence and self-identity. Also, they don’t have empathy or impulse control. They can’t foresee the consequences of their actions, and their attention span is short. They don’t understand that when they hit you or someone else that it hurts, and they may not be able to control themselves from hitting.
Adding to your toddler’s frustration, he or she doesn’t understand that hitting is socially unacceptable, and they can’t tell you what is really bothering them. Toddlers are very interested in cause and effect, so they really want to see what happens and how you as the parent react.
Tips to Change Aggressive Behavior
As challenging as this may be, there are some things you can do to change your toddler’s aggressive behavior.
- Be in tune with your toddler to know when he or she has had enough of the situation and then remove them. My son Max gets over stimulated when he is around a lot of people at once. I learned this early on. When we are at a family gathering, every-so-often, I will take him outside for a breath of fresh air. If I don’t he gets very hyper.
- It is so important to give your toddler a safe and comfortable place to vent. In a quiet room, or even outside, allowing them to express their emotions can assist in the prevention of aggression.
- Lay down the law in a positive manner. Be firm, but gentle. If you are aggressive towards your toddler then they will learn to be aggressive back.
- Always enforce their good behavior with praise.
- Find activities that are relaxing to your toddler.
It is so important for your toddler to know that you understand what they are feeling, and tell them that it is “OK” to be frustrated, angry or upset. Most importantly, teach them ways to express those feelings without harming themselves or others.
Warning Signs that it is Much More
Aggression can not only be frustrating for a parent, but also frightening. Here are some warning signs to determine if you should call your pediatrician.
- Your toddler has caused serious harm to another
- Aggressive behavior is frequent
- Your toddler seems angry or frustrated most of the time without any happiness
- Your toddler doesn’t interact or relate to other children
Don’t be embarrassed, your toddler’s pediatrician is a great resource, and get you the help that you need.
