My littlest grandson is so destructive and violent. Is this normal?

Question

He is 16 months old. It's mostly the way he plays. He loves climbing chairs and ripping every bit of paper he can get his hands on, and his sister's pictures and paper dolls. He also loves to bang and hit everything. I had girls so I don't know what to tell my daughter when she questions if this is normal behavior for his age. Any opinions? Please don't answer with suggestions of how to keep things out of his reach, I want to know if the behavior is age appropriate or not. Thanks.

Answer 1

Totally normal. I have three boys' and they all went through that around the same age. One good thing about it, when he gets a little older, he'll try to put things back together that he tears up. It's a part of them trying to figure out how life around them is working.
Boy's are noisy and the more noise he makes, the happier he is. Give him a keyboard to bang on and make music, or a drum kit. Grab some earplugs and let him have a good time. The more you let him explore his world now, the happier he'll be.

Answer 2

I was very surprised when I had my son and this started happening to him. I to had only been around girls and was not used to the hyper destructiveness of little boys. So yes to an extent it is normal....however, you need to teach him now where the boundaries are. What he can and cannot be playing with. Do not try to get rid of this behavior all together, just try to channel it in a more constructive way. For my son, a little outside time everyday helped him to burn off a lot of energy and that helped him not to be so destructive inside. However if it is excessive I would ask his Dr. at the next visit.

Answer 3

Yes boys are loud and somewhat destructive at this age however in another year he will be able to put his energy into more constructive play. Have the sisters put their paper dolls up, give him a newspaper to rip up(after you read it of course). Banging and making loud noises is natural too at his age. Be calm and let him grow a bit and then he will be outside with his loudness.

Answer 4

At 16 months, I wouldn't worry about it. Boys are more aggressive than girls and he probably likes the sound or feel of the paper ripping apart. Get a doodle pad with lots of paper and make an activity out of it so he's not at the important stuff. Find other materials of to touch, see, and hear to add to this activity. It seems like he is experimenting with his senses.

Answer 5

It is normal for boys his age to act rambucoulsy . We give our nephew things that he is allowed to rip up and things that it's okay to bang on. Boys can be very different from girls as we've seen in our family. As long as they are supervised and kept out of harms way agressive playing is his way of learning.
If you find it too upsetting find ways to channel it in other quieter directions. We take our nephews out for long walks and let them play out in the backyard with small trucks and toys till they get tired out. Good luck!

Answer 6

Is is normal for boys to be a little destructive but you can use discipline to bring it under control. I must say that not all boys act in that manner. Children need some sort of structure in their life. Save yourself alot of heartache and act now while he is young.

Answer 7

I have one of each...your grandson, although they are more active and aggressive than girls, sounds a little over the top to me. He must be shown not to destroy other people's things. Give him his own paper to rip! He shouldn't need to bang and hit everything either... Gentle....

Answer 8

It's normal for a baby boy to act that way

Answer 9

PUT THE BOY IN A ZOO.

Answer 10

most people spank their kids when they are bad or tear stuff up. you might find it helpful in teaching him right from wrong.