To stop your toddler throwing things

1. Explain there’s a new rule: ‘Our things stay on the floor on the table or in our hands.’ And ask lots of questions about it.

So, rather than saying: ‘don’t throw things’ you word the rule with what your want your toddler to do:
“Keep things on the floor, the table or in their hands.”
And then ask your toddler lots of question about the new rule. So ask…

  • “What’s the new rule about throwing? Yes, things stay on the floor on the table or in our hands.
  • What can you throw? Yes you can throw balls in the garden.
  • And where can you throw things? Yes when you’re outside!
  • Can you play ball games inside? No, that’s right.
  • And where do things stay when you’re inside? Yes- that’s the right answer
  • What should you do if you want to throw something? No- you’re not going to throw it.
  • What can you do if you’re angry? That’s right; tell me what you’re feeling.
  • And what will happen if you forget, and throw something indoors? Yes whatever you throw will go into time out for a whole day.
  • And if you throw something and hurt someone, what will you have to do? Yes, you’ll need to stop playing and care for them until they’re happy again.”

2. Remember to comment every time your toddler doesn’t throw things.

If they look as if they’re about to throw something quickly say: “You’re not throwing you’re remembering the rule. That shows a lot of self-control.”
If a situation has passed and they didn’t throw anything notice and comment on it.
Say: “You showed a lot of self-control. You didn’t throw anything. You remembered the rule.
That was very grown up.”

If your toddler still throws things,try to make sure that they don’t get a chance to actually throw it by holding their arm gently, but firmly and say “It’s not OK to throw. I’m not going to let you do that.”

3. Be consistent about consequences if they do throw something.

  • Every time they throw something put whatever they threw into time out for a whole day.
  • If there’s a mess, your son or daughter should help to clean it up.
  • If someone gets hurt your toddler should help to care for them until they’re happy again.

So three things you can do to stop your toddler throwing things are

  1. Explain there’s a new rule, ‘Our things stay on the floor on the table or in our hands’ And ask lots of questions about it.
  2. Remember to comment every time your toddler DOESN’T throw things.
  3. And be consistent about consequences if they do throw.

If you need more than three tips on this – or you’d like to discover the secrets you need to have happy well-behaved, children – please contact me by clicking here. You can arrange a free 20-minute (no obligation) chat to find out if working with me personally (by phone, Skype or face-to-face) would help you and your family. Contact Elizabeth

child behavioural expert
The author:

Elizabeth O’Shea is a parenting specialist child behaviour expert and one of the leading parenting experts in the UK.

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