18 mth old throwing stuff near other kids - ignore or tell off

[boo64]

My 18 month old has taken to throwing stuff to get attention. The obvious thing at home which seems to be working is to ignore him and not give him the attention he wants.

The problem comes when he throws stuff and there are other kids around if we are at someone's house - today he threw a ball and it landed near a little boy.

I don't feel I can ignore him in this situation as it seems to other parents like I don't care if he throws things and they hit their child (I don't actually think he is intentionally trying to hit anyone but it could well be his next tactic!)

But if I tell him off I do think he'll just do it more.

Any advice?

Sorry just to say - it sounds innocuous that he threw a ball but it wasn't!It just happened to be a ball rather than a toy or whatever he could lay his hands on!

I would say (very firmly)to him "NO, we don't throw" each time he does it.
aside from that I would ignore it as you don't want to give too much attention. just show him that you aren't pleased.
But also keep an eye on him. if he looks likehe's about to throw something then stop him and say "no throwing" and take the missile away

I'm a fan of saying what TO do rather than what not to do because a big no always seems to inspire mine to repeat the behaviour and draws attention to us if we're out! I would say 'can ds1 roll the ball?' and switch the negative to a positive or with my twins just praise the other one madly for good behavior!