Show Notes
✨ Want proven strategies beyond toddler hitting from a child psychologist? Register for the free workshop → https://www.drlindsayemmerson.com/workshop
Why toddlers hit is one of the most common questions I get from parents — and the most common responses parents reach for are actually reinforcing the very behavior they're trying to stop. This video breaks down the five responses most parents use when their toddler hits, which ones are making things worse, and the one that actually works.
Toddler aggression is a normal part of development — but normal doesn't mean you ignore it. Understanding why toddlers hit is the first step. Responding in the right way is what determines whether it keeps happening.
Research on child development confirms that toddlers in the sensorimotor stage (birth through age 2) learn primarily through immediate physical cause and effect — not through reasoning or delayed consequences (Piaget, 1952). That changes everything about how you respond.
In this episode: → The 5 ways parents respond when their toddler hits — and which ones backfire → Why your toddler may be hitting more after you try to stop it → The developmental reason behind toddler hitting that most parents don't know → The one response that works with your toddler's brain, not against it → Exactly what to say in the 3 seconds after the hit lands
💬 Comment SAME below if your toddler is going through a hitting phase right now.
#toddlerhitting #toddleraggression #toddlerbehavior #parentingtips #parentingwithpsychology
New to my podcast? I'm Dr. Lindsay Emmerson, a clinical psychologist and Mom of 4, and I help parents find that sweet spot between support and structure that psychology research tells us is best for families now and best for our kids in the future.
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Disclaimer: The advice provided on my channel is different from therapy and does not substitute for professional psychological treatment or other types of professional advice or intervention. Never disregard the advice of a medical professional or postpone seeking professional medical advice related to anything you hear on this channel.
If you or your child have concerns or need further parenting or personal support, please contact a physician or other qualified local health professional.
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