Teaching "gentle" to a toddler

nosoup4u

My younger son is about to turn two and is very much "high energy" - he's really fun, always in a good mood, but spends a good amount of time breaking toys, ripping books and throwing food at mealtimes. He's totally one of *those* kids, and DH and I just don't know how to get him to stop it. The throwing food/pushing his plate off the table when he's done eating has gotten really bad lately.

I try to stay calm, but it's just SO frustrating because he does it multiple times a day. We've tried taking him out of his seat when he does it (but it usually happens when he's done eating anyway), we talk about how "big kids" just push their plate away and say they're all done (he talks a ton for his age, and does understand). We talk constantly about being gentle with toys and books, etc. etc. etc.

I'm at my wit's end. It makes me yell, and I know that doesn't help, but I just don't know what to do to get him to calm down and quit destroying things - any help???

ETA: I should add, he spends a good amount of time playing with his brother, looking at books, etc. He just gets really frantic at times, and we don't know how to calm him down. We've started trying time-outs on his bed, with us sitting with him for a minute, but I think that will take some time to have an effect, if any.

TIA!

PayolaCrayola

DD is the same way. She is a very happy baby but we cannot get her to understand nice/easy.....she also throws her food/cup when shes done eating it. Its hard because she isnt doing it in a bad way i think in her head she just thinks "im over it" and moves on. Im hoping as she gets older she will understand more.

reinedecajun

(lurking but had to say)

Take his toys away for one, if he cant not rip his book or break his toys then he need to have them taken away. Right now he has no consequence for his actions other than getting to chill with mom or dad on his bed for a few minutes. What kind of "punishment" is that? If anything he's probably doing this so that he can spend some time with you that way.

Do you pick up his plate after he throws it?  If he throws his plate again, have him pick up his plate and clean up the mess he's made. Right now he knows you will do it.

reinedecajun

SouthSideDrea:

reinedecajun:

(lurking but had to say)

Take his toys away for one, if he cant not rip his book or break his toys then he need to have them taken away. Right now he has no consequence for his actions other than getting to chill with mom or dad on his bed for a few minutes. What kind of "punishment" is that? If anything he's probably doing this so that he can spend some time with you that way.

Do you pick up his plate after he throws it?  If he throws his plate again, have him pick up his plate and clean up the mess he's made. Right now he knows you will do it.

 Sorry, but LOL at get your toddler to clean up his plate when he throws it. Clueless.

 

 17 years as a preschool teacher...nope, not clueless at all. It works you just have to implement it.