Toddler behavior

Hey, I have a 21 month old son who is full of energy and always on the go. He’s cheeky and funny and a joyful little boy! In the last week or so there has been a few behaviors I’ve been concerned about, at the weekend we went to a soft play, he was the first child in there and as more came he started to try to hit them and he even went running over to a little girl who wasn’t even in her way, he pushed her over and she cried I felt awful as the other parent was trying to console her daughter. He then proceeded during playing to try and tap the other children. I tried to say no and say “gentle hands” it’s the other boys go first then yours” but my son just thought it was a game and would laugh and do it more. Any advice? He’s been spending time in older room at Nusery too and I feel so apprehensive about playing with other children now, when we go out, he was also bitten twice on same day by same child at Nusery. My gut is I’m not sure if I should change his Nusery but is this all normal behavior that a toddler experiences? should I talk to Nusery? Any tips what’s the best approach towards my son and the Nusery? Thanks

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It’s so hard. My little girl who is also extremely active and larger than life in personality has also started to show some concerning behaviours with her friends. I’m sure it’s all normal but it does make me so anxious for her to be around other children. SHe is constantly saying ‘mine’ and just so obsessed with what everyone else is doing. Interfering with their games and taking toys off her friends. I really hope this passes soon 🙏

@Tiffany Thanks so much for your comment me too I really hope it’s just a phase and they grow out of it xx

It's really normal behaviour, they are testing boundaries and working out what happens when they do certain things. They only learn by trying and observing. What some parents do when LO is doing unwanted behaviours is to withdraw them from the activity for a while to calm down (as sometimes they do think it's a game and get a bit giddy/excitable) before letting them join in again, but this is personal preference. I do ask my LG to say sorry if she hurts anyone which she does, and I explain to her why it's not kind, but I also know she doesn't really understand what I mean. The biting is part of this and sadly is a fairly common nursery experience! The important thing is to be consistent in your reaction, and to try to stay calm with them. It's just a phase 😊

Ah we are having something similar but the nursery have said my little girl is copying another little boy who is showing bad behaviour like kicking and shoving. Now they have said this has been happening for the past few weeks so I’m getting a meeting with them next week as I want to know what they are doing to intervene… ie: splitting them up, putting them on different days etc… I understand they are testing boundaries but I would like to avoid that behaviour being around her if I can without pulling her out of nursery as she loves it. I would ask to speak to the nursery and see if they can suggest anything xx

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