Anyone's LO a sand thrower?

Nige!!a

DS throws sand/bark at least once during his park visits. I've done everything from time outs (and leaving the park sometimes) and explaining that it hurts others so we don't do it. He repeats that he shouldn't throw sand but inevitably it still happens at some point. If we go to parks w/ bark he'll throw that instead. I don't even want to take him to the park anymore. I don't know how much of this is normal 2.5 yo behavior, but either way I'm not okay with it. He laughs when he does it and it doesn't seem malicious or out of anger. Help.

kmartinez80

The first couple of times my DD was around sand, bark, dirt, rocks, etc. she also wanted to throw it.  I tried some of the things you mentioned and realized that disciplining or telling her not to do something wasn't helpful since I wasn't also telling her what she should do instead.  For me, I realized she wanted to pick up the sand, rocks, etc. and explore and figured the best thing I could do is allow her to pick it up but then also show her how to let it drop out of her hands nicely or pile it up on the ground (and I would reinforce with some praise that she was doing a good job/the right thing).  Since then she's needed a reminder here or there about the proper way to put these things back on the ground, but the throwing has pretty much stopped now.  Good luck!

k.martell

Bringing sand toys to the park helps a lot (plus helps with sharing if another child wants to check them out). 

kmartinez80's suggestions are great too, show LO what to do instead.

DD doesn't throw it at people but she likes to throw it in the air to fall on her.  I'm honestly waiting for the day she gets it in her eyes and I will reenforce the 'that's why we don't throw sand' consequence.  

Nige!!a

Thanks for the suggestions. That showing him how to do it didn't even dawn on me. I knew I'd get some great idea here.