Anger when fallen over etc

[JimmyMcNulty]

Ds1 is just 4 and while mostly lovely and polite and cheerful, he can't seem to handle his emotions when embarrassed. At least, I think it must be embarrassment. Basically when he falls over he has started to scream and hit out at anyone nearby if they approach and try to comfort or help him up.

Today he lashed out at a woman who was next to him when he fell off his bike and wanted to check he was OK - he was not physically hurt but just furious. He did the same thing the other week when he'd tripped over in a shop and someone passing reached out a hand to help him up - shouted 'GO AWAY! GO AWAY!' in tears before I got to him.

I've been telling him it's not on to be rude to people when he's fallen over, I understand that he feels sad and cross etc etc. How can I help stop him doing this?

It's just a stage
just smile through it and jolly him along
if at home just ignore

Actually thinking about it he doesn't hit me if I am the one who gets to him first - just screams and shouts while crying. He only lashes out at strangers!

Thanks Compo. I'm sure you're right. I was just feeling mortified today when my child hit this poor kind woman who stopped to help