My son, who is very affectionate and clever has a worrying tendency to play too roughly with other children, with pushing, shoving, punching and throwing all routinely being an issue. He has no issues with empathy and understands about owies and is always the first to rush over to another child if they are hurt or crying to try and kiss or hug them. However he just plays too rough especially when he gets too excited, or tired, or both; time outs and being told not to don't appear to be helping much.
He is a particularly solid boy for his age and more than capable of ko'ing kids his own age, and even those a great deal older - he gave his 11 year old cousin a bloody nose rough housing with her a few weeks ago.
I don't know where, or even if he has "learnt" this behaviour, he is an only child, bar a very small new baby sister whom he adores, and his nursery certainly discourage rough play.
Has anyone got sensible advice on how I can curb this tendency? I don't want him to be excluded from anything for getting a reputation for being too rough.