4 year old hit someone at nursery - help!

[missgraciea]

My very sweet 4 (just - last week) daughter has today hit someone at nursery. This has never ever happened before. She’s pretty bright can have a conversation very well and says that this child upset her so she hit him but she says she doesn’t really know why she did it. She cried and was concerned that maybe he didn’t hear her say sorry. Nursery spoke to her and read her a story about being kind. I’m happy with how it’s been dealt with and I’ve reinforced to her to be kind. And let someone know if you’re feeling upset.
Should I be worried or could these things be a one off? She certainly shows empathy and was apologetic and crying as she recalled it all to me.
Any advice would be appreciated. I’m planning to keep an eye on it and read more about kindness, point out examples of kindness if I see them when I’m out and about. Anything else I could do?

It’s normal and hopefully a one off. Wouldn’t worry about it at all.

Sounds plenty to me.

Sometimes children deserve a wee skelp from another child. Maybe he was being an annoying little shit and she snapped. Maybe he won't annoy her again.

She sounds like a good kid and I'm sure she'll listen to what you're telling her. She's only wee. She can't be an angel all the time.

It sounds like she's already racked with guilt and shame about it. I'd actually give her the message that everyone makes mistakes, she won't do it again so she should try to forget about it if she can.

And I'm generally pretty intolerant of kids who hit and push other kids, even at nursery age. My dd was the recipient of a lot of pushing from a specific couple of boys at nursery and it made me so angry and sad for her.

But your dd sounds contrite about it. I doubt she'll make a habit of it

I am going to guess she was over tired, or she is brewing a cold/ear infection/molars, or worrying about something

Really really normal, even the gentle and articulate ones at this age can struggle to control their frustration at this age.

You've spoken about it and she clearly understands it was wrong so just park it now and hope it's a one off.