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- Why Do Kids Hit Other Kids?<\/a><\/li>\n
- Is it Normal for Kids to Hit?<\/a><\/li>\n
- What to Do When Your Child Hits Another Child?<\/a><\/li>\n
- What to Do When Your Child Hits You?<\/a><\/li>\n
- Long-Term Strategies to Prevent Hitting<\/a><\/li>\n
- When to Seek Professional Help?<\/a><\/li>\n
- What If Your Child Is the One Being Hit?<\/a><\/li>\n
- Staying Connected, Even When You\u2019re Not There<\/a><\/li>\n
- FAQs<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Why Do Kids Hit Other Kids?<\/h2>\n
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Galina Zhigalova\/Shutterstock<\/p><\/div>\n
There are many reasons kids hit, and getting to the bottom of the cause is crucial to stop it from happening. Toddlers’ hitting<\/strong> is frequently down to frustration. Very young children often don\u2019t have the words to say what they want or need, or to express their anger. When a toddler hits, it\u2019s usually a way to express their feelings\u2014or an attempt to get their own way. In most cases, toddlers grow out of hitting, as well as other aggressive behaviors<\/a> such as biting and kicking, as their vocabulary grows and they learn what is acceptable behavior and how to regulate their emotions.<\/p>\n
When children reach preschool age<\/strong>, they may continue to hit as they develop their emotional and social skills. Kids hitting at this age is often still down to frustration, or can represent an attempt to assert dominance over other kids, or even parents. By the time they reach school age, most children are hitting less frequently, if at all. Where it does occur, it may be during moments of conflict or stress, or as a reaction to a perceived injustice or power struggle.<\/p>\n
Physical aggression, such as hitting or pushing, is much less common in teenagers<\/strong>, but does happen. Trying to test boundaries and assert independence can cause this behavior, which may rear up in response to heightened emotions.<\/p>\n
When it comes to hitting, it\u2019s important to be aware that there can be medical reasons behind these actions. ADHD often manifests as poor decision-making skills and impulsivity, both of which can lead to a child hitting, while mood disorders like depression or bipolar disorder can also cause frustration, irritability, and a tendency to lash out. Injury and trauma may also be responsible for a toddler or older child acting aggressively. All of these things should be ruled out if a child is consistently acting aggressively and seems unable to control or regulate their behavior.<\/p>\n
\n - Is it Normal for Kids to Hit?<\/a><\/li>\n
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