If Your Child Hits Bites or Kicks, Read This
This week’s topic: The neuroscience behind hitting, biting, kicking, pushing, and what’s really going on.
If your child is hitting, biting, kicking, or pushing—you’re not alone.
These behaviors can feel intense, embarrassing, and confusing—especially when they seem to come out of nowhere.
But here’s what I want you to know: this isn’t about aggression. It’s about regulation.
And no matter how sharp the teeth or how fast the hands, your child isn’t “bad.” Their nervous system is overwhelmed—and asking for support.
✨ Instant Strategies:
Get low and calm your body first—your regulation is the first intervention.
Match your body and your tone to your child and then slowly move your body and your tone back to neutral—your child will learn to mirror you (this does take time)
Say something simple like, “I won’t let you hit. Your body is telling me something big.”
Move slowly and use fewer words—too much input can increase dysregulation.
🛠 Proactive Strategies:
Build in “rough and tumble” play with clear boundaries to release energy safely
Use daily check-ins to help your child name what’s in their body (“fast legs,” “tight tummy,” “need to squeeze”)
Watch one of my favorite Episodes of Bluey and reflect on it with your kids. Create your own family Big Kid Bark https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAdXLDVkjVA
🧠 The Neuroscience Behind Sibling Fights:
When your child hits or bites, their amygdala (fight/flight center) is in charge. The prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain that helps them pause, think, and choose a different action—is offline.
Our job isn’t to punish—it’s to co-regulate so that, over time, they can access those higher brain functions more easily.
Inside CAMP, we teach families how to understand the why behind behavior—and respond in a way that builds skills, not shame.
Why everything you’ve tried isn’t working:
5 parenting shifts that actually help.
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This is just a small piece of what you will learn in the CAMP online course to manage challenging behavior in children.
