When a young child acts out aggressively, such as pulling hair or biting, it’s a sign that he is learning to control his environment. His cognitive skills are developing and he is realising that he can affect the outcome of what is happening around him. However, it takes time for a toddler to understand that this behaviour is not acceptable.
If your child is having a problem with pulling his siblings hair, or is pulling your hair, here’s what you should to do:
First, he needs to know that this behaviour does not work. If for instance, your toddler pulls his sister’s hair because he wants a toy that she is playing with, take the toy from him and give it back to his sibling telling him, “You cannot pull your sister’s hair”. Eventually, he will understand that his action did not get him what he wanted.
Second, if you catch your child pulling hair, interrupt the behaviour and again, tell him he cannot pull hair. Then, place him in his time-out chair for one minute.
After he has his time-out, talk to him about what he did and why it was wrong.
Don’t expect this to work the first time. A toddler must learn by doing something a few times. Be patient and try not to become frustrated. He will eventually get it.
If your child is having a problem with pulling his siblings hair, or is pulling your hair, here’s what you should to do:
First, he needs to know that this behaviour does not work. If for instance, your toddler pulls his sister’s hair because he wants a toy that she is playing with, take the toy from him and give it back to his sibling telling him, “You cannot pull your sister’s hair”. Eventually, he will understand that his action did not get him what he wanted.
Second, if you catch your child pulling hair, interrupt the behaviour and again, tell him he cannot pull hair. Then, place him in his time-out chair for one minute.
After he has his time-out, talk to him about what he did and why it was wrong.
Don’t expect this to work the first time. A toddler must learn by doing something a few times. Be patient and try not to become frustrated. He will eventually get it.
