How to handle hitting at school

Jen&Len

I was notified today that DS hit another kid in the head with a block. The teacher said it was a chaotic situation with the boys all scrambling for the same blocks and DS got overwhelmed and just reacted.

She said DS cried harder than the other kid because he knows he is not supposed to do that. He has never done this before in the 2 years he has been in school. We do not tolerate hitting at home and it's an automatic time out and discussion.

I was surprised because he is not a hitter. Even when his sister takes his stuff, he very rarely lashes out like that. There has been some big changes going on new babysitter and moving to a new house in the past 2 weeks. I am not trying to make excuses for him but I wonder if that has to do with him acting out like that.

I tried talking to him about it calmly but he just looks down, avoids eye contact and says he doesn't want to talk about it. He does seem ashamed by his actions. Do I leave it alone or do I keep trying to talk to him about it. I don't want him to think that it is ok.

blowfish11

Honestly, if it was a one time thing, I'd just talk to him about it. Reiterate that hitting is unacceptable and maybe have him do something nice for the kid he hit, like draw a picture for him.

If it becomes a continual problem, then do something else.  I don't have hitters, so I'm not sure how to handle it beyond the talk.

DD1 bit someone at daycare once, and the talk was enough to make sure she never did it again.

 

Smootchy

It seems like he knows it's not ok.

I'd let it go if you've already told him hitting is not ok... Move on until he does it again, which will hopefully be never. IMO

Jen&Len

blowfish11:

Honestly, if it was a one time thing, I'd just talk to him about it. Reiterate that hitting is unacceptable and maybe have him do something nice for the kid he hit, like draw a picture for him.If it becomes a continual problem, then do something else. nbsp;I don't have hitters, so I'm not sure how to handle it beyond the talk.DD1 bit someone at daycare once, and the talk was enough to make sure she never did it again.nbsp;

That's a good idea to have him draw a picture.

synchrosally

My kid is a bully. Nothing we've done has been able to get rid of the hitting/pushing etc but he is getting slightly better. We usually remove him from the situation and pay attention to the injured party. He does a lot of stuff for attention so if I see him getting worked up I'll ask him for a hug before he does anything naughty. 

In your case It sounds like it was a one time thing and he knows he was wrong. I would drop it. 

acaudill75

I think you are worrying too much about it. Kids go through phases. DD1 went through a phase, along with the rest of the kids her age at DC when they bit out of frustration. She got bitten more than she ever bit (I think she only ever bit one child). I just shrugged it off, although it hurt to see bite marks on her arm. Kids will do this stuff. Start worrying if and when it becomes a pattern of behavoir.