Our 2 year old keeps attacking kids in playgrounds

[mercutio84]

Finding it stressful trying to manage our newly 2 year old little boy. He is our second child and first son very gentle and kind. Our 2 year old very different child and robust/confident. Brilliant apart from that in play areas he makes a beeline for other children to pull their hair, hit them. Just in a garden centre play area now with no other kids abs was wonderful. Then two young children wander in and our little boy made a beeline for them just to pull the other little boy's hair. It's not done for cruelty I think as our son seems to be smiling and finding it a bit funny, and seems more impulsive. At home we tend to be more therapeutic with the kids but I am being firm with him when this happens when he is hurting someone else. Also mega embarrassing to apologise to parents who aren't always understanding. I'm really vigilant to police him round other kids but actually when there's a small group he wanders into in the blink of an eye he's got his hands on some poor little girls hair.
He goes to nursery and used to do something similar but doesn't now.
Any advice or experience?!

I think the only thing you can do it hoover over him constantly and try and redirect him before it happens. If he hits/pulls hair etc you need to say calmly no hitting and leave immediately he will throw a tantrum but keep repeating we don’t hit and now we have to go home. At home practice gentle hands with him and give lots of praise when he is gentle. Eventually he will realise hitting=fun stopping and will stop it. I sympathise my 16 month old is doing something similar but only to his sister, we’ve noticed he’s really only Does it when she’s watching tv and we think he’s trying to just get her attention to play with him. But it is exhausting!