Toddler Slapping: What It Means + How to Stop It (Teach “Touch Nice”)

If your toddler has ever slapped you in the face—especially after you’ve told them “stop” or “don’t”—this episode is for you. Bonnie and Thomas Liotta explain why the slap is an effect to a cause, what your toddler is communicating, and how to guide the behavior without getting stuck in reactive mode.

You’ll learn a simple, repeatable skill: teaching “touch nice” through demonstration—day after day—as many times as it takes. Plus, how to redirect negative attention seeking into positive attention through play, helping, and creating an environment where cooperation grows naturally.