Yes, this child is very young, not even 2 years old yet. They still have lots of learning and growing to do. I have a 19 month old that hits and pinches reflexibly when she thinks things aren't going her way. She has slapped my own 21 month old across the face for no reason and it never even crossed my mind to terminate her. I keep a close eye on her and pick her up and remove her from the other kids when she starts doing it (with a stern No Hitting). I will put her in the hallway or kitchen and walk away. It is kind of funny, she will just stand there for a minute and look at us, not sure what is going on and not too happy about being segregated. But she always comes back into the room better behaved. I will just continue doing this and expect with consistancy that it will eventually stop. Now if she were 4 years old and still doing this it would be a different story...