How To Get Toddler To Stop Throwing Things: A Practical Guide

Do you want to know how to get your toddler to stop throwing things? It takes patience, understanding what’s causing the behavior, and teaching them better ways to express themselves and interact with their surroundings. This guide will give you simple steps to address the toddler throwing behavior and help your little one learn new habits.

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Why Do Toddlers Throw Things?

Before you can address toddler throwing objects, it’s important to figure out why they’re doing it. There are many reasons. Often, it’s not about being naughty!

• Exploring Cause and Effect: Throwing can be an experiment. The toddler is trying to figure out what happens when they let go of something. What happens if I throw this? Where does it go?
• Developing Motor Skills: Throwing helps toddlers work on their hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills. It’s a way for them to practice using their bodies.
• Seeking Attention: Sometimes, throwing objects toddler is a way to get your attention, even if it’s negative attention. They know you’ll react.
• Expressing Emotions: Frustration, anger, boredom, or excitement can lead to throwing. It’s a way for them to release big feelings.
• Lack of Impulse Control: Toddlers are still developing their ability to control their impulses. They might just throw something without thinking about it.
• Teething: The pressure from chewing may feel good. Throwing objects might be a way to relieve the pressure.
• Sensory Exploration: The way an object feels or sounds when it hits the ground can be interesting to a toddler.

Immediate Toddler Throwing Solutions

When your toddler throws something, here are a few things you can do right away:

1. Stay Calm: Your reaction sets the tone. If you get upset, it might make the throwing worse, especially if they are seeking attention. Take a deep breath.
2. Say “No Throwing”: Use a firm, but calm, voice. Keep it simple. “No throwing. Throwing hurts.”
3. Remove the Object: Take away the object that was thrown. This shows them that throwing means they don’t get to play with that item.
4. Offer an Alternative: Give them something they can throw, like a soft ball. This redirects their energy in a safe way.
5. Check for Injury: Make sure no one was hurt. If someone was, focus on comforting them first.

Long-Term Strategies: How to Address Toddler Throwing Behavior

These strategies will help change the behavior over time:

1. Create a Throwing Zone

Give your toddler a designated place where it’s okay to throw. This could be outside in the yard or inside with soft balls.

• What to Include: Soft balls, beanbags, lightweight toys
• Rules: Only throw in this area. Explain that throwing is only allowed here.
• Positive Reinforcement: Praise them when they throw in the right place. “Great throwing in the yard!”

2. Teach Alternative Behaviors

Help your toddler learn other ways to express their feelings or get your attention.

• For Attention-Seeking:
  • Teach them to say, “Mommy/Daddy, play with me!”
  • Give them attention when they ask nicely.
  • Ignore the throwing (if safe) and only respond when they use words.
• For Expressing Emotions:
  • Teach them feeling words like “mad,” “sad,” or “frustrated.”
  • Help them find other ways to release energy, like jumping, stomping, or squeezing a stress ball.
  • Model healthy ways to express your own feelings.
• For Boredom:
  • Provide engaging activities. Rotate toys to keep things interesting.
  • Spend quality time playing with them.
  • Create a “boredom buster” box with new activities.

3. Adjust the Environment

Take a look at your home and remove things that are tempting to throw or could be dangerous if thrown.

• Move Breakables: Put fragile items out of reach.
• Safe Toys: Only allow toddler throwing toys that are soft and won’t cause harm.
• Declutter: Fewer items mean fewer things to throw.
• Supervise: Keep a close eye on your toddler, especially when they’re in areas with lots of objects.

4. Use Positive Reinforcement

Catch them being good! Praise and reward them when they don’t throw.

• Verbal Praise: “I like how you’re playing nicely with your toys without throwing.”
• Small Rewards: Stickers, extra playtime, or a healthy snack.
• Reward Chart: For older toddlers, a sticker chart can track progress.

5. Be Consistent

Everyone who cares for your toddler needs to follow the same rules. Consistency helps them learn faster.

• Talk to Caregivers: Make sure grandparents, babysitters, and daycare providers know your strategies.
• Use the Same Phrases: Everyone should use the same words (“No throwing,” “Throw the ball outside”).
• Follow Through: If you say you’re taking away a toy for throwing, do it.

6. Rule Out Other Issues

Sometimes, toddler throwing behavior can be related to other issues.

• Sensory Processing Issues: Some children have trouble processing sensory information. An occupational therapist can help.
• Developmental Delays: If your child is significantly behind in other areas, talk to your pediatrician.
• Frustration with Skills: Is your child struggling to learn a skill like building with blocks or putting together puzzles? Frustration with lack of fine motor skills or hand-eye coordination can cause throwing. Modify the activity, and make it easier for them to practice the needed skills.

7. How to Handle Toddler Throws Food

Toddler throws food is a very common issue! Here’s how to deal with it:

• Rule Out Hunger: Make sure they’re not throwing food because they’re already full or not hungry.
• Keep Meals Short: Toddlers have short attention spans. Limit meal times to 20-30 minutes.
• Ignore the Behavior: If they start throwing food, calmly remove the plate without saying anything.
• Offer a Replacement: If they throw all their food, offer a small replacement snack later.
• No Reaction: Try not to give any reaction, positive or negative. Any attention is rewarding.
• Make Clean Up Easy: Use floor mats to make clean-up easier on you!

Example Table:

Situation	What To Do
Toddler throws a toy	Say “No throwing.” Remove the toy. Offer a ball to throw in the throwing zone.
Toddler throws food	Calmly remove the plate. No reaction. Offer a small snack later.
Toddler throws in frustration	Help them name their feeling. Offer a hug or a different activity.

8. Understanding The Development Stage

Toddlers are naturally curious and love to explore their environment. They are also learning about cause and effect, and throwing objects is a way for them to experiment.

• Cognitive Development: Toddlers are developing their understanding of the world around them.
• Emotional Development: Toddlers are learning how to manage their emotions.
• Social Development: Toddlers are learning how to interact with others.

Dealing with Toddler Throwing requires patience and understanding. Remember that it’s a normal part of development.

Toddler Throwing Discipline: What Works and What Doesn’t

When dealing with toddler throwing, discipline is necessary, but it should be approached with care.

What Works:

• Redirection: Guide their energy toward something acceptable.
• Time-Out: A brief break from the activity can help them calm down. 1 minute per year of age is a general rule.
• Loss of Privilege: Taking away a toy or activity that they enjoy.
• Positive Reinforcement: Rewarding good behavior is always more effective than punishing bad behavior.

What Doesn’t Work:

• Hitting or Spanking: This is never okay and can be harmful.
• Yelling: It can scare them and doesn’t teach them anything.
• Long Lectures: Toddlers have short attention spans. Keep it short and simple.
• Inconsistency: Inconsistent rules can confuse them.

Focus on teaching and guiding, rather than punishing.

Toddler Throwing Alternatives: Safe and Fun Options

Instead of focusing on what your toddler can’t do, offer them toddler throwing alternatives that are safe and fun.

• Soft Balls: Foam balls, tennis balls, or beanbags.
• Water Play: Throwing water in the bathtub or with water balloons outside.
• Paper Airplanes: Make paper airplanes and throw them together.
• Bean Bag Toss: Set up a target and have them throw beanbags at it.
• Ring Toss: A classic game that helps with hand-eye coordination.
• Balloon Toss: Blow up a balloon and see how long you can keep it in the air without it touching the ground.

When to Seek Professional Help

Most of the time, toddler throwing behavior is normal and will pass with time and consistent guidance. However, if you’re concerned, talk to your pediatrician.

• If the Throwing is Very Frequent or Intense: If it’s happening constantly and seems out of control.
• If the Throwing is Accompanied by Other Behavioral Issues: Such as aggression, tantrums, or developmental delays.
• If You’re Feeling Overwhelmed: If you’re struggling to cope with the behavior.

A pediatrician can rule out any underlying medical conditions and refer you to a specialist if needed.

Final Thoughts: Patience is Key

Stop toddler from throwing will take time and patience. There will be good days and bad days. Remember to stay calm, be consistent, and focus on teaching your toddler new skills. Celebrate small victories and don’t get discouraged by setbacks. With love and support, your toddler will learn to express themselves in healthy and appropriate ways.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Q: Is throwing a sign of autism?
  • A: Throwing alone is not a sign of autism. However, if your child has other symptoms, such as difficulty with social interaction, repetitive behaviors, or speech delays, it’s best to talk to your pediatrician.
• Q: How long will this throwing phase last?
  • A: It varies from child to child. With consistent guidance, it usually starts to decrease around age 3 or 4.
• Q: What if my toddler throws things at me?
  • A: Gently but firmly say, “No throwing at people. That hurts.” Remove yourself from the situation if necessary.
• Q: Should I punish my toddler for throwing?
  • A: Focus on teaching and guiding, rather than punishing. Redirection, time-outs, and loss of privileges can be effective, but avoid hitting or yelling.
• Q: My toddler only throws when they’re tired. What should I do?
  • A: Make sure they’re getting enough sleep. Adjust their schedule to avoid over-stimulation when they’re tired. Have a quiet space and activity ready for when they start to get fussy.

By implementing these strategies and staying patient, you can help your toddler overcome this common phase and learn valuable skills for life.