Ralphie emphasizes that you should be "teaching your child deliberately" and at a time when they are most teachable. So, the middle of a hitting episode when your toddler is emotional and upset is not your best chance for explaining to them why hitting is bad. Instead, praise examples of good interactions between friends and siblings when you see them, tell them how you expect them to behave before they go into a playdate, and talk about the right way to treat loved ones.
Getting your toddler to stop hitting is not easy. Of course mine still hits on occasion. But I can honestly say that since implementing many of Ralphie's techniques from Simply on Purpose over the last few months, we've seen not only less hitting, but less negative behavior in general — from both of my older children. And it seems the more we practice these methods, the more positive behavior we see. So while I'm no parenting expert, I'd say it's worth a try if you're looking to retain your sanity while getting through the toddler years.
