How do you deal with pulling hair and face grabbing?

[littleraysofsunshine]

My two to keeps doing this. Sometimes it's unprovoked but some times it's when someone takes something off her, or if she just wants what someone else has.

How do you deal with this kind of thing?

?

Her own, or other people's? Also, how old is she?

2 last week. Others

I also think it's when she feels threatened so if a kid comes too close to what she's playing with?

It's bizarre as most times she loves playing with others. And she doesn't have a mean look or anger if her face. Just pulls hair soooo hard.

Well, close supervision for now, coupled with keeping an eye out for any potential triggers/patterns.

Then I would just keep emphasising about gentle hands, sharing etc, and remove her from the situation for a while if she can't stop doing it. Focus telling her what she should do, rather than telling her "no" or "don't". Praise her a lot when she does play nicely or is kind/gentle.

There is a nice series of books including one called "Hands are not for Hitting" which you could read with her to help emphasise how to behave.

I've started with my 1 year old - catching his hand if I see him about to hit, saying "no! Don't hit" sharply, followed by showing him what gentle is as I say "ahhhh gentlllllllle, niiiiice". He then tries to copy gentle in the best way a one year old can.

I'm starting now at this age because I wish I had started earlier with my first child. I started with him around your DD's age, and spent much time preempting his every move to stop him hitting others.

I also warned people he hasn't learned gentle yet and so watch out and keep your head away from him! You can't use that as a cop out though, only in conjunction with stopping your child from bashing everyone else.

They do grow out of it through. Eventually.