What to Do When You Feel Like Hitting: A No Hitting Book for Toddlers
Positive Parenting Series
What’s inside...
The book is a direct and accessible guide designed to help toddlers understand and manage their early emotions and behaviours, particularly the urge to hit others when they're frustrated or upset. With engaging illustrations and empathetic storytelling, the book offers constructive alternatives to hitting as well as methods to calm down. It teaches toddlers safe ways to express big feelings by using 'gentle hands' to squeeze a stuffed animal when upset, scribbling a picture to release frustration, and taking deep breaths to calm down. The language is kid-friendly and positive, encouraging toddlers to understand and communicate their feelings. Engaging illustrations help kids see the ideas in action and maintain their attention on the page. This storybook aims to cultivate empathy and compassion in toddlers while discouraging hitting and promoting safe and kind reactions.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-4
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did the characters in the book find ways to handle their feelings instead of hitting?
Can you think of a time when you felt like hitting, and what did you do?
What are some other things we can do when we feel upset or angry?
Why is it important to not hit others, even when we are very angry?
How do you think the other person feels when someone hits them?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings and thoughts as they relate to the scenarios in the book. Validate their emotions and praise them for discussing their feelings openly. Use examples from the book to guide a conversation about alternative actions to hitting when upset. Be patient and attentive, showing your child that their feelings are important and that there are positive ways to manage them.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding Emotions
Explanation: The book guides toddlers through recognizing and naming their feelings, particularly anger and frustration.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to identify their emotions before they escalate, helping them express themselves verbally rather than physically.
Example Lesson: Learning Alternative Responses
Explanation: The story offers practical alternatives to hitting, such as using words, taking deep breaths, or finding an adult for help.
Real-World Application: This equips children with multiple strategies to handle conflicts or distressing situations peacefully and respectfully.
Example Lesson: Empathy Development
Explanation: By depicting scenarios where hitting hurts others, the book teaches the impact of physical actions on peers.
Real-World Application: Children can understand how their actions affect others, fostering a sense of empathy and improving their interactions with friends and family.
Example Lesson: Self-control
Explanation: The book emphasizes the importance of pausing and thinking before acting when upset.
Real-World Application: This lesson promotes self-regulation skills, crucial in school settings and interpersonal relationships as children grow.