19 month old hitting & pinching

[poppy2133]

My 19 mo has recetly started hitting and pinching other toddlers ( aswell as me & dad ). Some of the time he is just being playful but probably doesn't know his own strength - other times he looks like he means it. Is this a normal stage of development ? When he does it I try to be firm but fair with him and he seems to know he has done something wrong. Is this thie best approach ?

DS1 went through this at about that age and my neighbours boy is also at the same stage. With DS we just kept saying no and that we do not hurt people in this house, that it's not nice etc. I think they are just having one of their many 'phases' were they are testing the boundaries. Also in most cases their vocab is not full enough to express their feelings to the full so they have to use physical means. Remember that at this age they feel all of their emotions with full force and that must be very scary for them and they are not able to control these feelings. It'll pass. Honest!! Stay calm and be consistent - you'll get there. Good luck