Appropriate toddler response to other kids being annoying?

[Toddlerthumps]

What can I teach my 2.5 year old as an appropriate response to other toddlers being annoying and trying to take toys/get in his space? If I'm close enough I intervene and say that my child isn't finished playing with that toy yet and stop them snatching it, but if I'm dealing with my other child then my toddler tends to thump them or push when they get too close.

I understand why, the other kid is annoying, but obviously I don't want him hitting. That said, I don't think he should have to put up with the behaviour either. So what can we do as a middle ground? His speech isn't super clear yet which doesn't help.

Thanks

It doesn’t need a long explanation. We say “no thank you” for something we don’t like (eg people getting in personal space) and walk away / find another toy to play with. And we talk about turn taking and sharing a lot.

Agree that long explanations aren't needed and probably won't be understood, especially if he has speech delay.

A toddler having unclear speech is not the same as speech delay.

When mine was 2 she went through a stage of scratching kids in the face if they got too close 😬. I taught her to say "I need space". Thankfully it eventually passed!

Yeah he understands everything and speaks a lot, it's just not always clear. I don't want him to have to put up with other kids being a pain but also don't want him to maim them 😅

He could say “no”. He can’t shove or hit. He can come to you for help. He could say “go away”.

Sometimes you just have to let them sort things out themselves 😕

But also the "no thank you" is enough for now.