When your toddler hits.

Tuck In Books | Free parent notes

Start by keeping everyone safe. Use a short, calm boundary now; save practice and conversation for a quieter moment.

Start here

- Move close, stop the hitting and create space between children.

- Check on the person who was hurt; keep supervising both children.

- Use a short boundary and help your child settle before teaching another way.

Words to adapt

Our example: “I am stopping this. Hands cannot hurt people. We will stand over here together.”

Your notes

What happened just before: __________________

Who needs space or comfort first: __________________

A short boundary we can use consistently: __________________

One alternative to practice later: __________________

What to discuss with another caregiver or our pediatrician: __________________

When to ask for more support

Contact your child’s pediatrician if hitting persists, causes injuries, leads to exclusion from play or childcare, or makes you afraid for anyone’s safety. You can ask for help sooner if you are struggling to manage it. Seek prompt medical care for an injury that needs attention. A story or worksheet cannot assess why the behavior is happening.

These are general editorial ideas and original examples, not an individual assessment.

Read the full guide: https://www.tuckinbooks.com/help/toddler-hitting/

Parenting resources

ZERO TO THREE: aggressive behavior in toddlers
https://www.zerotothree.org/resource/aggressive-behavior-in-toddlers/

American Academy of Pediatrics: preventing aggressive behavior in young children
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddler/Pages/Aggressive-Behavior.aspx