My child is 15 months old. He hits a lot. If I scold him he hits more. What should I do?

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It's not uncommon for toddlers to exhibit hitting behavior as they navigate their emotions and learn how to express themselves. At 15 months old, children are still developing their communication and social skills. Here are some strategies to help manage and reduce hitting behavior:

### Understanding the Behavior
1. **Developmental Stage**: Toddlers often hit because they lack the words to express their feelings of frustration, anger, or excitement.
2. **Attention-Seeking**: Sometimes, children hit to get attention, even if it's negative.
3. **Exploration and Learning**: At this age, children are exploring cause and effect and testing boundaries.

### Strategies to Address Hitting
1. **Stay Calm**: Reacting calmly can help de-escalate the situation. If you respond with anger or frustration, it may reinforce the behavior.
2. **Set Clear Boundaries**: Firmly but gently tell your child that hitting is not acceptable. Use simple language like, “No hitting. Hitting hurts.”
3. **Teach Alternative Behaviors**: Show your child other ways to express their feelings, such as using words, pointing, or using gestures. For example, teach them to say “help” or “stop” instead of hitting.
4. **Model Good Behavior**: Demonstrate gentle and kind behavior. Children often imitate what they see.
5. **Provide Attention and Praise**: Give your child positive attention when they are behaving well. Praise specific behaviors like playing gently or using words to express feelings.
6. **Redirect and Distract**: When you notice your child getting frustrated or upset, redirect their attention to a different activity or toy.
7. **Consistent Consequences**: Consistently apply a gentle consequence when your child hits, such as a brief time-out or removing them from the situation.
8. **Teach Empathy**: Encourage your child to understand how hitting affects others. You can say, “Look, your friend is sad because you hit. We need to be gentle.”
9. **Observe Triggers**: Pay attention to what triggers the hitting. Is it hunger, tiredness, or frustration? Addressing these underlying issues can help prevent the behavior.

### Additional Tips
1. **Avoid Physical Punishment**: Physical punishment can increase aggressive behavior and is not recommended.
2. **Use Visual Aids**: Simple books and stories about emotions and appropriate behavior can help your child understand.
3. **Stay Consistent**: Consistency is key. Ensure that all caregivers are on the same page regarding how to handle hitting.

### When to Seek Help
If the hitting behavior persists despite trying these strategies or if it is severe, consider seeking advice from a pediatrician or a child psychologist. They can provide additional guidance and support tailored to your child’s needs.

By being patient and consistent, you can help your child learn more appropriate ways to express their feelings and interact with others.