how do i stop my toddler hitting me/other children?

[kissmummy]

he is 2.2 years old. this has become a problem in the last week or so, though in truth he's hit smaller children before, much to my shame
I have tried gripping him firmly and telling him off in a firm, cross voice, but it seems to have no affect at all. the minute i loosen my grasp he swings for me again. we have tried the 'naughty step' but he quite likes being on it the only other thing we do is put him in his cot and shut the door. but nowadays he can climb out of his cot so he just ends up playing with his toys with a "do i look bovvered?" expression on his face. has anyone got any ideas/tips?

Praise him loads when he's playing nicely so that he gets to know what he should be doing.

Have you tried taking something away if he does hit if he's not bothered by naughty step etc? DS is not really bothered with naught corner/step but realises that he's done something naughty if we take a toy away. He's 3 now, but the tactic has works for a long time now.

praise the good ignore the bad, move away from him when he hits, you or move his hands when he goes to hit, say something on the lines of 'mummy doesn't want to play/talk with you when your being unkind/ when you hit me/ fill in blank, then move away.

Def think taking away a toy away or a special activity can give them a consequence for their behaviour that they understand.

Have you tried a reward chart, a visual aid may help him behaviour, a smiley face for a good hour and a cross for a bad hour it he gets enough smiley faces to please you then a sticker or a treat at the end of the day