It's hard to reason with a screaming, crying child. Some parents who frequently slap a toddler's hand are dismayed to find their toddler slapping back. Or worse yet, slapping and hitting others. Most reported cases of abuse involve loving, well-meaning parents who just lost control. Studies show that children who experience or witness a great deal of spanking, slapping, or hitting are much more likely to become physically aggressive themselves.
Toddlers love to imitate.
Most parents find it more successful to teach a child what to do rather than what not to do . It may help to think of behavior problems as opportunities to teach your child new skills. A final note Disciplining toddlers is not easy. And you won't always feel good about how you handled a situation. It's important to recognize that you are human.