Throwing Objects

T.,

My son is just over 2 and he LOVES to throw things. I know, we've help create the monster because we encourage the throwing of balls and such and he loves to play "catch" with us.

We have more of an issue of him throwing something when he can't really get it to work the way he wants it to OR when he doesn't want something he's eating - he'll throw the food. Obviously, not an option - so we take whatever it is away. It's amazing how much he'll "want" a piece of chicken once it's taken away. Usually, after I take the chicken away and tell him "No, we don't throw food. That's not nice.", he'll ask for the food. I ask him if he's going to take a bite of it and if he says "yes", I will give him another chance. 9 out of 10 times, he will actually eat the piece I gave him back. If he does throw anything again at the table - it's gone for good. If it happens a 3rd time, he's taken away from the table (when we are at home) and is done eating.

As for the toys, if he throws it - it's gone after a warning. I don't know if I'm doing that right or not, but I like to give him a warning (he's only two) and I tell him if he throws it again, I'll take it away. I do the same thing when he puts things (EVERYTHING) in his mouth that don't belong there.

Good luck, I think if you are consistent with taking things away, eventually he'll figure out that throwing really isn't as fun as it seems all the time. Lol.

T.

Your son is mastering the concept of cause and effect, and since it is something new to him it's really, really cool and he likes to do it over and over again.

The behavior is totally normal and it's good that he's learning. Take the concept of cause and effect one step farther. Instead of just "he throws, you pick up and return", add in the "you throw, I tell you not to do it, I return the object, you throw it again, I take it away".

Hi T.,
I would simply pick-up whatever he threw and say to him sternly No! that is not nice, that is not good behavior and I will put you in time out if you throw something else. take that approach until he understands your not excepting this behavior from him at all. I hope this helps you.

My second son is 21 months. He is (and always has been) obsessed with sports (balls and helmets). He LOVES to throw balls...especially footballs through a basketball hoop. So with his love of balls comes his love for throwing things (and he has a pretty good shot, he often hits me in the face if I'm not ready to catch what he throws). But anyway, I'd redirect by giving him something that is okay to throw and tell him it's okay to throw a ball, it's not okay to throw your cup. Something like that when the teachable moment is there. When in public and such, I give my son his cup only when he is drinking it...tell him to take a drink and then we'll put it away. Sometimes he's more in that mode of throwing things than other times (like today was a big throwing day). On days he's not throwing so many things I'll let him hang on to it. When I give things to him to hold/play with, I often tell him to hold on to it, that if he throws it, it's gone. So if he throws it, the object then gets put away so he doesn't get it back. If it's a cup, he'll get it later only for a drink and then it goes away again. Inappropriate throwing - I think the way to stop it is to not give it back. When it's thrown, it's gone from him. No fetch games. Cause and effect...he chose to throw it away from him, so it's no longer with him. :) I know what you mean with it being embarassing sometimes, but remind yourself that he's just a toddler. :) This throwing stage shouldn't last TOO much longer. Hang in there!

OMG!!!! I am going through this and it drives me crazy!!! My son is 16 months old. I am so sad that he may still be doing this at 20 months...dear God! I hope some of you mommies have good advice!!