How do you get your child to communcate more?

Question

My son is almost 3. He didn't really have anybody to play with except his 2 cousins which are both girls. They are both mean to him. They won't let him touch their toys and they leave him out. They always yell at him and he started to not play with them anymore. He now hides behind me and clings on to my shirt. I always step in and tell my nieces to share and be nice. I was thinking maybe I needed to let him handle his own fights before actually stepping in. I let this happen for a while and I guess my son got tired of it and now he hits them. I introduce him to this other little boy who is really aggressive but my son won't even give him a chance. He'll hit him too. I know that boy will hit my boy back too so I'm careful because he is so bad. My son hits just about anybody new to him. I can't get him to socialize with others now. Everytime I try, he wants me to sit there with him the whole time. How do i get him to socialize and play with others without relying on me to sit ther w/ hi

Answer 1

He's 3 and he's learned that hitting is a way to solve his problems... this bad habit needs to be addressed first. I don't recommend spanking him... that would only reinforce his belief that hitting means power. But I would recommend you letting him know your displeasure...if that means raising your voice, by all means. Tell him that he's getting too old to act like a baby and hit others... he's growing up and more is expected of him. Take away privileges if necessary... again, he must know that you don't like it when it hits others. The key to have your child communicate more is to give him a forum in which to do so... you of course can go a daycare route. You can also contact others you know with children about his age to get together and go to the park; this also gives you an opportunity to "speak with adults" while he plays with others. You can even organize events with your church (or perhaps a club) members to get together once a week (or every two weeks, etc. ) and go to places like the zoo, museums, etc. The key is to give your son opportunities... and to praise him when he acts appropriately.

Answer 2

my friend has that problem, so she put her daughter in daycare, and it has really helped alot. i guess being around other kinds of children calmed her down