Why Do Toddlers Throw Things?

Toddlers throw things because it is developmentally appropriate to do so. They may be struggling to express their emotions or they are testing out what will happen when they pick something up and launch it across the room. Generally, they are not doing it to be “naughty” as toddlers don’t really know what being “naughty” actually is. They are just testing out the waters and finding out what the reaction is when they throw something. They may do it repeatedly because they are learning by seeing the reaction or consequence of their action over and over.

What Does My Toddler Learn By Throwing Things?

When a toddler is picking toys up and throwing them, they are practising their fine motor skills. Fine motor skills are the skills learnt by using the muscles in your hands, for example to move objects or to write with a pencil. So, when a toddler picks up a ball and they are practising squeezing to hold onto the ball. It’s also a great activity for practising gross motor skills as they are practising their arm movements by launching the ball and they are also testing what happens when something does go into the air.

We’re not born with knowledge about gravity and speed. We have to learn these things.

So, sometimes, when a toddler throws a toy, it’s not out of frustration or anger, but rather, it’s out of a thirst for knowledge.

Why Does My Toddler Throw Things When She’s Cross?

Toddlers haven’t yet learnt how to control their feelings. They’re still so young. They don’t know the vocabulary to explain how they’re feeing, they don’t even know why they might be feeling upset. Is it because their nappy is wet and they don’t like the feeling? Is it because their tummy is telling them they’re hungry? Is it because their clothes are rubbing them? They just don’t know and so they may throw toys or anything in front of them so that they can get some attention.

What are the Benefits of Throwing Practice for Toddlers?

Throwing has many benefits: fine motor skills, gross motor skills, communication skills, turn-taking, hand-eye coordination.

They can then learn all about what happens when you throw a ball to their heart’s content. They can practise holding onto something. They can practise their aim. They can practise their throw.

Throwing can also be a social activity. It can be played with you as their care-giver or other adults and children. It is an activity that’s great for practising communication and fantastic for bonding. Have you never seen those American films where they throw the soccer ball back and forth?! It also practises turn-taking.

Re-directing your toddler into “healthy” throwing may help them learn what it’s ok to throw and what it’s not ok to throw. Rather than saying, “No!” all the time, create a “Yes!” space for them. Provide your toddler with toys that it’s ok to throw. Provide them with a play area where there’s nothing that will be damaged by being knocked over. It could be bean bags or balls. Anything that will fit easily in their hands which they can have a go at throwing.

At What Age Do Toddlers Start to Throw?

Toddlers start grabbing things to throw them at around 12 months old to 18 months old. But remember, every child is different. There are a number of different skills needed in order to throw. They need to have control over their hands enough to be able to grasp onto the ball and keep hold of it and they need to have enough muscle control of their arm in order to throw the ball. They also need to have good hand-eye coordination so they know what their hand is doing. Catching is a completely different skill and usually comes a lot later.

What Throwing Games Can I Play with my Toddler?

1. Sit across from your toddler and roll and ball to them and encourage them to return the ball to you by rolling. Larger balls work better for this as they roll further. Think about your floor choice too as the ball will roll better on a hard, flat floor.
2. Throw into a bucket. Start off really close (almost above it) so your toddler gets a sense of accomplishment.
3. Aim at a target.
4. Run and throw the ball. Place a bucket at one end of the garden and show your toddler how to run and drop or throw the ball into the bucket.
5. Have colour-coordinated bowls and balls and get your toddler to throw the balls in the matching bowls for great colour recognition practice.

How Do I Stop my Toddler from Throwing Things?

1. Put any items that you don’t want your toddler to throw out of their reach. Remote controls, cups of drink, glass candle holders etc.
2. Remind them, “We don’t throw in here,” or “That’s not for throwing.”
3. Recognise that they aren’t throwing things to annoy you.
4. Work out what the reason is behind the throwing. Are they tired, hungry, need their nappy changing, or bored?
5. Re-direct them. Give them something they can throw or divert their attention towards another activity that they’re going to interested in.

Getting your toddler to stop throwing isn’t going to sort itself out after one intervention but if you follow these five steps, hopefully you’ll have a calmer house and there will be less throwing in the future.