The 1 Yr Old Toy Thrower

[Unregistered]

I know lots of young toddlers go through a throwing stage. How do you handle a young toddler throwing toys?

I have a 18 month old who in the past couple of days is now picking up all different types of toys and throwing them across the room. I've given the stern No Throw and with balls shown how to roll the balls.... but it's getting worse. Now, it's the wooden kitchen toys or hard plastic toys that are getting thrown and the toddler is now hurting people. Today (it's only been an hr since arrival), the toddler threw a wooden toy and hit a child in the head. Then took a car and threw it at me.

So, before anyone else get's hurt today I brought up my supergate and put lots of soft toys in there. Is that mean?! The child is fine in there and is playing away.

[SilverSabre25]

I would say the superyard is a great solution! if he's playing happily, then he is probably appreciating the space.

I would also provide balls for him to throw. "You may NOT throw toys. Here! you CAN throw balls!" And vary your tone drastically between the two phrases. Low and stern with a grumpy face, and then light and cheery with a grin. Make them small, soft, foam balls and there's no worry about it beign inside, either.

[Heidi]

I would say the superyard is a great solution! if he's playing happily, then he is probably appreciating the space.

I would also provide balls for him to throw. "You may NOT throw toys. Here! you CAN throw balls!" And vary your tone drastically between the two phrases. Low and stern with a grumpy face, and then light and cheery with a grin. Make them small, soft, foam balls and there's no worry about it beign inside, either.

Those cloth balls meant to be soaked for water "play" are great for that. I put play in quotation marks because getting hit with them when they're wet does NOT sound like fun to me.

[Unregistered]

I would say the superyard is a great solution! if he's playing happily, then he is probably appreciating the space.

I would also provide balls for him to throw. "You may NOT throw toys. Here! you CAN throw balls!" And vary your tone drastically between the two phrases. Low and stern with a grumpy face, and then light and cheery with a grin. Make them small, soft, foam balls and there's no worry about it beign inside, either.

Great idea! Thank You!

[Unregistered]

Those cloth balls meant to be soaked for water "play" are great for that. I put play in quotation marks because getting hit with them when they're wet does NOT sound like fun to me.

Oh, I have those cloth balls!! We've used them in the tub but never to throw at someone. Now, I have another use for them! Thanks!

[Cradle2crayons]

I know lots of young toddlers go through a throwing stage. How do you handle a young toddler throwing toys?

I have a 18 month old who in the past couple of days is now picking up all different types of toys and throwing them across the room. I've given the stern No Throw and with balls shown how to roll the balls.... but it's getting worse. Now, it's the wooden kitchen toys or hard plastic toys that are getting thrown and the toddler is now hurting people. Today (it's only been an hr since arrival), the toddler threw a wooden toy and hit a child in the head. Then took a car and threw it at me.

So, before anyone else get's hurt today I brought up my supergate and put lots of soft toys in there. Is that mean?! The child is fine in there and is playing away.

I agree with what yu did completely.

I, however, would not provide balls for him to throw. At his age, that may confuse him even more.

But, I'm sure it works for some though !

[Crystal]

I agree with what yu did completely.

I, however, would not provide balls for him to throw. At his age, that may confuse him even more.

But, I'm sure it works for some though !

That's what balls are for! I would totally give him balls to throw. He needs to learn what is okay to throw and what is not okay to throw.

Every time he throws a toy, redirect to balls. Redirect, redirect, redirect and he will get it.

[Brooksie]

I think what you did was appropriate. I would however not give him balls to throw inside. He's not going to be able to see the difference. Nothing gets thrown inside. If he can't handle ROLLING a ball he doesn't get handed a ball. Any thing that is thrown by someone of any age is immediately taken away. Its too dangerous. He will eventually learn if he throws it, he loses it, and then thats no fun. If he's really having trouble with everything that play yard is an excellent solution. Keeps everyone safe and happy.

[Cradle2crayons]

That's what balls are for! I would totally give him balls to throw. He needs to learn what is okay to throw and what is not okay to throw.

Every time he throws a toy, redirect to balls. Redirect, redirect, redirect and he will get it.

We throw balls outside. Never ever inside. Inside we ROLL balls

[Cradle2crayons]

I think what you did was appropriate. I would however not give him balls to throw inside. He's not going to be able to see the difference. Nothing gets thrown inside. If he can't handle ROLLING a ball he doesn't get handed a ball. Any thing that is thrown by someone of any age is immediately taken away. Its too dangerous. He will eventually learn if he throws it, he loses it, and then thats no fun. If he's really having trouble with everything that play yard is an excellent solution. Keeps everyone safe and happy.

Amen!!!

[Crystal]

ah, I let them throw balls inside. Haha, even I throw balls inside. My play space is set up that it is okay to throw them inside.

[Unregistered]

I think what you did was appropriate. I would however not give him balls to throw inside. He's not going to be able to see the difference. Nothing gets thrown inside. If he can't handle ROLLING a ball he doesn't get handed a ball. Any thing that is thrown by someone of any age is immediately taken away. Its too dangerous. He will eventually learn if he throws it, he loses it, and then thats no fun. If he's really having trouble with everything that play yard is an excellent solution. Keeps everyone safe and happy.

I agree! My daycare is ran out of my living room (which is medium size, bedrooms are for napping and kitchen area is for art/crafts. I think I'll be taking all balls out of the ball bin tonight and replacing with something else. He's been really good in the superyard today... I did let him out and once he threw something I put him back in. The superyard is set up in my living room and he can watch the kids play next to him. I feel like I'm being mean but it's working and everyone is safe! We only throw balls outside and roll them inside.

[Unregistered]

ah, I let them throw balls inside. Haha, even I throw balls inside. My play space is set up that it is okay to throw them inside.

I wish I had a set up like that. But, I do it out of my own families living room I so wish I had a separate room that was only daycare and all toys and arts/crafts were in there and at the end of the night I could just shut the door and walk away. But, instead I have to live with the toys in my living room.

[Brooksie]

I agree! My daycare is ran out of my living room (which is medium size, bedrooms are for napping and kitchen area is for art/crafts. I think I'll be taking all balls out of the ball bin tonight and replacing with something else. He's been really good in the superyard today... I did let him out and once he threw something I put him back in. The superyard is set up in my living room and he can watch the kids play next to him. I feel like I'm being mean but it's working and everyone is safe! We only throw balls outside and roll them inside.

[Crystal]

I wish I had a set up like that. But, I do it out of my own families living room I so wish I had a separate room that was only daycare and all toys and arts/crafts were in there and at the end of the night I could just shut the door and walk away. But, instead I have to live with the toys in my living room.

That does make it more difficult.

You can try giving him wadded up newspaper and a basket to throw it in. The same can be done with socks, etc. The whole idea is to teach him that he cannot throw toys, which may hurt himself or others, but he can throw some things. He NEEDS to be able to throw. It is a normal part of his gross motor development, as well as hand-eye coordination.

I am not a fan of the superyard and have never isolated a child inside of one, however I can see the benefits when needed. In the end, how do you feel the parents will respond to knowing their child is being isolated for a normal developmental process?