My reception child has started hitting other kids.

[Joey246]

We've had 2 calls in the past 6 school days that my Son that has just started reception has hit another child.
One he definitely was annoyed, the other appears unprovoked, both might have been a bit in play/excitement. Both are friends of his. After a couple of unsettled weeks at the beginning he's loving school, goes in happily. Has been messing about a couple of times in a lesson but otherwise is ok.

He can be a bit rough with his little brother but we've never had any issues like this from nursery, he's normally quite a quiet boy. He's 100% aware that this behaviour is not acceptable. It's very out of character, I'm wondering if there is something underneath that's leading to this.

Just wanting other peoples experiences... what worked? Was is a phase? I'm a little worried this is the start or worsening behaviour and don't want him getting a name for himself either with the teachers, or other parents.

We'll keep reinforcing things, I'm going to buy a boundaries book as apparently is a little grabby in general at school, again brand new and never been an issue in the past.

Have the school said how they are going to manage his behaviour @Joey246?

@TinyMouseTheatre they are following their behaviour policies and keeping an eye on things.

Husband and I are both confused by this behaviour.

He could just be overtired. Reception is usually a bit busier than Nursery. There's a lot of new things and new expectations to navigate.

I would try a few earlier nights and quiet, low demand weekend sounds like it might be beneficial.

If he's still struggling after having more sleep, coke back and I'm sure we can give you more tips

Just wanted to add that you might want to try the book Hands Are Not For Hitting.

I'd also do this very simple progress checker just to make sure that his communication is on track and that isn't what's causing his frustration

@TinyMouseTheatre thanks. Will try and do that. He was very nervous starting school, it's a massive change so we are wondering if somethings bubbling under the service. Both times it's been when a friend has said something he didn't like, not mean at all though. He just disagreed but it escalated to anger quickly with him. He knows it's wrong but impulse control and frustration tolerance we're looking at more.

The checker confirms my thoughts that his language is absolutely fine. When he wants to talk, he's quite articulate. He just doesn't always want to.

Both times it's been when a friend has said something he didn't like, not mean at all though. He just disagreed

Being unable to negotiate a disagreement with words is a communciation problem. It's an obvious problem if the child hits out but it's still a problem if a child just gives way instead.

When he wants to talk, he's quite articulate. He just doesn't always want to.

"Doesn't always want to" is a possible red flag for a communication problem. There were many things that my DS would talk about and be very articulate about. But there were everyday situations that he had no words for. So when he needed to talk about those things, or other people tried to talk about those things, he would go silent or change the subject. And it seemed as if he "didn't want to".

Disagreement was one of those situations, so when another child refused to go along with DS there could be trouble.