Throwing

lkm2006

I'm sure it's been asked here before but humor me anyways!

What do you do for throwing?  

I've tried everything.. time out, redirection, getting on his level and explaining why throwing is bad.

I get it's got to be confusing because we go outside and he is encouraged to throw the ball around, but then we come inside and I feel like I'm constantly getting on to him for throwing something.  I'm sure it's a phase and I know he isn't doing it to cause any trouble.. but I have a 3 month old and I feel like I'm constantly on guard making sure he isn't having something thrown at his head! 

TiffanyBerry

Establish clear rules and enforce them.

Where can he throw?  When can he throw?  How can he throw?  What can he throw?  At what can he throw?  (In our house, we can throw inside and out.  We can throw whenever we want, as long as the other rules are followed.  We have to throw gently so that we do not knock things down, hit windows, or hit people.  Inside, we can only throw soft toys that are not heavy.  We can throw at the floor, into bins, to other people who are expecting it, and for the dog.  Yes, all of these took time to learn, but DD has done fairly well with this set of rules since she was able to throw.)

What is the consequence if the rule is broken?  For us, we take the ball away until an appropriate time (after nap when she was younger, the next day now that she's three).

Figure out the answer to the questions, and apply the rule EVERY SINGLE TIME he throws something.  He will figure it out, though there will certainly be some trial and error.

(Also, do give him something he CAN throw, even in the house - maybe it's just kleenex, but something.  And get him outside to throw heavier thigns too.  Throwing is a very developmentally appropriate behavior, and if he feels like throwing, see if you can find a way to make it happen appropriately.  (of course it's fine if he can't, but you try.))