19 month old scrabbling and pulling hair

[Ijustworemytrenchcoat]

This has been going on a while, but seems to be getting worse. Whenever he doesn't get his own way, or he even thinks he isn't going to, whenever I move him away from a hot oven or stop him slamming drawers for example he will scrab or grab huge chunks of hair. Mostly to me and his dad, also my mum who looks after him while I work.

I have dealt with it so far by saying quite loudly and in a firm way 'No, you don't hurt' and then saying ' be gentle, gentle' while stroking my face or his to demonstrate. I have no idea really if this is the right strategy. He has so far only done this to adults not other children and I don't know how I would deal with that if he did.

How does he respond when you say "No" and how is his understanding generally? It's quite normal by the way at only 19 months....they don't really get it for a while yet. I'd be even a bit more firm with my voice "No!" not too sharp but enough to let him really know that it's not ok. Maybe your "firm" voice is still too gentle?

I say it loud enough most of the time to get his attention, but I am a little apprehensive as I don't want to scare him. When I do the 'gentle' movement he giggles and copies.

I think his understanding is generally getting a little better. He seems to understand a fair bit of what I say to him but not everything. For example big parts of the day like bath time, bed time, dinner time, fetch a book, or when we are going out or changing a nappy. But not things like 'can you fetch me your shoes'. He's learning new words every day and mimics simple words and I think he is doing well but I can't help but if I compare him to others they can do more if you see what I mean.