I know jec has posted something similar, but I could also use some advice and don't want to hijack her thread! I have a little one who is 17 months and has been with me since he was 8 months old. He is a very sweet, happy little guy, but in the past three or four weeks, he has started hitting everyone and everything constantly! He is tiny, so when he hits with his hands it doesn't hurt, but he often now hits with toys and it hurts! sometimes he does it when he is mad, but often he is just doing it for fun...I am pretty certain to get attention as he will look at me and do it...it is so random...he will just walk over and start hitting someone...or he gets mad about something and hits whoever is near him. I have talked to the parents and we came up with a strategy which they say they use at home as well. We take him and hold his hands for about a minute and then have him touch the victim gently using "gentle hands"...at first it seemed to be working, but then he just ramped it up again! He understands completely when I say "are you using your gentle hands?" and will stop hitting, but then he goes on to hit again a few minutes later. I also give time-outs in the exersaucer, which he hates, when it gets out of hand. Now my other 17 month old is learning and starting to hit too! Help! Any advice would be appreciated!