One of the major challenges that I faced as a teacher was handling children who whack other children and harass them. I would feel so helpless because I did not know how to make them abstain from doing so. You can't expect a 2-year-old to understand logic.
After some observation and reading numerous articles based on this I came to understand why children do so and how one can handle it.
Every class has their share of these hyperactive children. They aren't 'violent' or 'naughty' children. They don't even know what that is, and it is extremely insensitive of anyone to call them that. There are numerous reasons as to why a child would show such behavior, and polite and easy ways to deal with it.
1. Seeking attention : who doesn't love attention? Even adults love of they are adorned and given attention, so do our babies. They don't know how to get your attention. They find this a way of grabbing your attention towards them. One of my students is a very hyperactive child. He would always be beating up some other child and I would take him aside and talk to him explaining how what he did was wrong. He would nod his head in agreement and repeat the same next day. After I read an article online, everyday when he came to school, I would take him aside, hug him and talk to him a little about what he did yesterday or what is he doing after schools etc. To my surprise he started behaving differently, he completely stopped hitting his peers. I realized that the only reason he did it was to gain my attention.
2. Curiosity : another reason children beat other children is the curiosity to see what happens. It may be amusing to the child as he/she is unaware of what exactly has happened. They may just find our reaction amusing.
I believe these two reasons are the most common reasons and they can be dealt with ease.
1. DO NOT scold the child.
2. DO NOT call him names or punish him.
3. DO NOT hit the child back.
4. Firstly calm the child who has been beaten and make sure first aid is provided if required.
5. Calmly hug the child who has caused injury or beaten another child.
6. Talk to him politely and sweetly explaining what he did was wrong.
7. Ask him to apologize and empathize.
8. Observe the child and try to figure out why he shows such behavior.
These steps have really helped me and I've put this up here for anyone who is in a situation like me.
Hope it helps :)
Let's understand our children better :)