My 2-year-old hits and bites other children. Is that normal?
It is common, and it is upsetting. Toddlers hit, push and bite not because they are mean, but because their feelings are big and their words and impulse control are small. Biting can also come from frustration, excitement, teething or simply wanting a reaction. It usually fades as language develops. Your job is to stop it calmly and consistently, and to teach what to do instead. Step in quickly, hold your child's hand gently or move them away, and say clearly: "I won't let you hit. Hitting hurts." Keep your voice firm but not frightening; big emotional reactions can accidentally make the behavior more interesting. Turn to the hurt child first and comfort them, which also shows your child that hurting has consequences for others. Later, when everyone is calm, practice alternatives: stamping feet, squeezing a pillow, saying "Stop!" or "Mine!" or coming to get an adult. Watch for patterns, such as tiredness, crowded places or toy conflicts, and plan for them. Never hit or bite back "to show how it feels." It teaches exactly the opposite of what you want.
When to get help
Talk to your pediatrician or a child psychologist if the aggression is frequent and not decreasing after age three or four, if your child seems to hurt others deliberately and without any sign of distress, hurts themselves, cannot be in group settings because of it, or if it comes with delays in speech or social contact.
This answer is general information and does not replace medical or psychological advice. Updated:
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