Throwing!

[Starshine]

I have a 14-month-old daycare boy who has recently started to throw things. He will throw his toy when he's done playing with it, he throws his food when he's done eating, he throws his sippy cup after he takes a drink, he throws his book when he's done looking at it, etc. I tell him sternly "no throwing toys" or "no throwing food" etc. If he throws food I take the rest of his food away. If it's toys, I make him pick up the toy and put it away properly. He loves balls, including throwing them, and we have a few small soft ones here. I'm not sure if I should eliminate them altogether or just tell him he can only throw the balls--I'm wondering if he's confused that he can throw balls but nothing else? Any suggestions on how to get him to stop throwing things? Thanks!

[apples and bananas]

Personally, I would only give him food and not the plate. He's obviously not mature enough to handle more then a bit of food on the tray at a time. I have a 14 months old and he's not quite at the plate stage yet... He just plays with it and dumps the food.

As far as the rest go, if he's intentionally throwing to get a rise out of you, I would take the toys and put them up, but still in sight and let him know, when we throw our toys, we can't play with them anymore.

If he's just all done and throws it instead of places it down then you're doing the right thing in my opinion.

The good news is, it's most likely just a phase and will just suddenly stop one day. I think at this age it's just a co ordination thing for the most part. Lack of control over the arms or hands results in a throw.

I'd probably eliminate the "no throwing" as it could be preceived as fun attention and a way to get a rise out of you. I'd probably just calmly say, let's pick up our toy and put it away gently. Draw attention to the proper thing to do and not the bad thing he's done.

I have soft balls as well but I don't allow throwing in the house. They can roll them or they use then to lay on and squeeze, but we do not throw. Even a soft ball can knock over a lamp.

[kidlove]

oh sounds like you are doing the right thing, the important thing to remember is show him the right way...if he throws a toy, have him pick it up, then set it down nicely, if he throws his plate, either take it away right then or pick it up, say "you don't throw your plate on the floor, you push it back if you are done" and show him how to push it back/away from him, and say "all done". It is a common "phase" to throw things at that age, the trick is to "show" them it's not ok.

[daycarewhisperer]

I do not keep balls in general play. I keep them in a bin and we pull them out for a specific activity. That way all the toys available are NOT for throwing. I teach them to not drop or throw. I teach them what I WANT them to do which is lay down the toy into the toy box when returning or take it down to the floor to play with it. I do floor based play so nearly everything is played off the floor.

If the child persisted after training I would have them in their own play yard (six feet by three feet) and fill with all cloth toys. That way they can toss away to their little hearts content and not break anything and no noise.

Throwing, dumping, running house, climbing furniture etc. are all skills kids need to learn. I just don't offer that learning here. They can get their throw on at home. They can dump at home. They can do "run the house" at home. Here I want the safety that comes from no throwing and I want my toys to last for many many generations of kids. I haven't bought toys since 2008 I think. I don't throw away five bucks worth of toys per year. We keep them in great condition in part because I don't allow throwing or dropping of non cloth toys.

[Momof4]

Starshine, I think you are already doing everything right. Keep it up and after a while he will understand. I don't allow food thrown on the floor here either and pick it up and show it to them in my hand while saying 'not on the floor' 2-3 times with my mad face and stern voice.

It might be a good idea to remove balls from play for a few months until he catches on to that rule. I do have balls mixed in with my toys and allow them to be thrown or kicked in the toyroom but the rule is they have to be kept at knee level or lower. The children climb onto my couch where they play a lot but the window is behind the couch so I'm reminding them not to stand on the couch a lot. We have a lot of fun here but safety is always #1.