20 Month Old Hitting Himself

[WinkyWinkola]

Anyone else experienced this? Is it normal part of frustrated toddler behaviour? I'm concerned!

My DS slaps himself on the face and head just once or twice whenever he wants attention or just after having been told off, usually for walloping another child.

I try tell him off quietly for hitting other children - a regular occurence - but when he hits himself I'm so horrified and shout, "No!"

What does it mean and am I making a mountain out of a molehill?

My Dd used to do this too!

If she was told off she would slap her own face.

We probably didnt help by laughing at her, it was funny though!

She is two and a half now and hasnt done it for a long time, she just suddenly stopped, i think it was just frustration at not being able to say anything.

my ds bangs his head against the wall, the floor. he throws himself around and punches himself in the face. he's 19 mo and it's only if i stop him doing something or tell him off

It probably means he's realised it gets a reaction from you. DS used to slap his own face if we washed it when he didn't want it washing -- once we managed to ignore it it tailed off and he doesn't do it any more.