It can be incredibly distressing when your toddler starts hitting, especially if they are targeting a loved one like a grandparent who is consistently kind. It is important to remember that this behavior is rarely a sign of aggression or a reflection of your parenting. At this stage, toddlers are testing cause and effect and learning how to navigate big, overwhelming emotions. Often, they lash out at the people they feel safest with because they are still developing the language and self-regulation to express frustration.

How to Guide Them:

• Stay Calm: Children this age are looking for a reaction. By staying calm, you avoid fueling the behavior. Avoid showing frustration, which can be confusing for a child.
• Redirect with 'Gentle Hands': When you see a hit, calmly stop the action. Take your child’s hands, show them how to touch softly (like stroking an arm or cheek), and narrate, "We don’t hit; we use gentle hands."
• Consistency is Key: This isn't a behavior that changes overnight. By repeating this process consistently every time, your child will eventually learn to pause and choose to be gentle on their own.
• Focus on Connection: Continue to foster their relationship with the person they are targeting. Remind yourself that this is a developmental phase, not a personality trait.

If you are looking for resources to support this learning, consider looking for pictorial books that focus on manners and social habits to help reinforce these positive interactions during storytime.