2 year old DD hurting 6 year old DD

[noahsolloway]

My 2.5 year old DD keeps scratching and hitting her big sister. Her older sister is very placid and gentle so never retaliates, but she is also quite emotional and bursts into tears pretty much every time DD2 hurts her, which of course gives DD2 the reaction she is looking for (I am guessing).

We have told DD1 to try not to react, but she doesn't seem to be able to manage this. At the moment, aside from DD1's reaction, she gets a stern telling off from DH or myself, but it clearly isn't working.

Any ideas on how we can stop this behaviour from DD2?

Concentrate your attention on DD1 and not DD2.
Tell DD2 that every time she hits or hurts her sister, a toy will be taken away. Do not dedicate much time or attention to DD2 when she does it, tell her off, make the threat of toy removed happen, and then stay with DD1 and your backs to DD2.

At 2.5 she understands that it is wrong, and send her to her room alone when she does it.