What is the best way to deal with 3 year old's that hit?

Question

Even after you exlain to them about using their voice. Should they be sent home- what do you teachers do when it happens over and over?

Answer 1

http://www.momsview.com/discus/messages/18351/32568.html

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/ChildBehavior/messages/32733.html

http://www.drspock.com/topic/0,1504,123,00.html

I think those are better than anything I can suggest?

Answer 2

Redirection is good, but I think the child should have an idea of consequences. If every time the child hits, they get to go color, they will not learn anything.
I taught three-year-olds and what I would do if it was a constant problem would be to get the parents involved. If the child hits, he/she should know that their parents will find out. I used daily certificates that I would write the child's name on and put a cool sticker on it if the child did not hit all day. If he/she hit, the note would be taken away and the parent would get a note about the situation so they could follow up on it at home. (Some parents are more involved than others). After the child hit another child, they would go directy to time out and I would explain why they were there, but that is all... then I walked away and would only address them if they were moving out of time out. After three minutes, I would have them come and sit with me and we'd talk about what happened and why it isn't okay to hit. Then I would redirect them into another center to play in with different children. They would not be allowed to go back to where they were when they hit. And be sure to follow through! :) If it happened more than three times, the child was taken to the office to call their parents, which usually straightened them up! good luck!!

Answer 3

I think that by making them apologize and then having to sit for their bad behavior is best. Explaining that it's not nice to hit and that behavior is unacceptable. Be sure to make them say that they are sorry. Reward good behavior and for playing nicely and they will want that instead of getting negative attention from acting out. When they are sitting you don't talk to them, they don't have any interaction with any one (also a three year old shouldn't sit over 3-5 minutes) if they get up the time starts over and not a word, until you go over and ask do you understand why you had to sit, you cannot hit, that's not nice, go say you are sorry then you can play, if you catch them looking like they are going to hit say this and yes its catchy "If you hit you have to sit!"

Answer 4

Maybe the child is hit too much in the home. They follow by examples. If the child can't stop. The parent needs to be notified and see if you both can work with the child on ending this behavior. If that doesn't work. The child should be recommended to see someone for his behavior. It might be something very minor that hasn't been resolved or some serious stress or emotional turmoil.

Answer 5

put them in the corner for three minutes. tell them every so often why they are in the corner or bad chair, and when you let them out of it tell them something like, "hitting isn't ok, honey, we're not going to hit anyone anymore are we?" it works.

*a three year old may not remember he's supposed to be in the corner, especially if that's where other children are playing, if they try to leave without asking, remind them gently why they can't play right now.*
punishment isn't appropriate at that age, discipline is the way to go. If you're not sure what methods his parents use, call them, or ask them before they leave him at your place next time. Make sure to tell them every time he has to go to the chair or corner and what for. this way his claims of "they don't like me" won't work, and his parents will help reinforce you.

Answer 6

I think that the best way to deal with the problem is to talk to the child's parents, if the do not cooperate, give the child time out and take away privileges like going outside.

Answer 7

First of all, tell them not to do it, and look at them straight at the eye.
Than say it or shout it louder so they can be scared. I'm sure they will obey you.

If they continue hitting put them in time out, and talk to him.her about not doing it, and that it hurts someone.

If the situation gets uncontrolable contact a proffesional or a child physician/ psychologist as soon as possible.

Answer 8

i make my 3 year olds hit a chair or wall. I keep explaining to them. It is not ok to hit but if you feel like you have to hit hit a chair, couch, wall. Make them hurt themselves. Then they tend to not hit anymore. Also, be aware of when it is that they are hitting and stay on top of them. I ususally talk out, say as we are playing, its not ok to hit. Even have their friends tell them it isnt ok to hit. It isnt nice. But i have had success when i have redirected their behavior to reflect on themselves and not someone else. It does work. It will take some direction to you to help them vent their aggressions some place else and knowing that it wont hurt them when they do.

Answer 9

either let the child they hit hit them back or put them in the corner and take away their privileges and tell their parents when the come to pick them up and everything you did so there is no confusion

Answer 10

Actually don't hit them back, because they're too young and they might misunderstand it as you saying it's okay to hit. It's not effective to say "don't hit" and then go hit them back to demonstrate how it hurts - it sends them a mixed message.

Answer 11

you should be firm tell the child it is wrong to hit any one and say if he or she does it again give him time out on the naughty stairs or stool. because he is 3 he should sit there for three minuites untill calmed down then ask him to say sorry.