Hands Are Not for Hitting (Board Book) Board book – February 15, 2002

Hands Are Not for Hitting is another great book in this series. It helps teach an important lesson in a calm, simple way that young kids can understand. Our toddlers enjoy the illustrations and ask us to read it again and again. It’s been a helpful tool for reinforcing kind behavior and giving them words for big feelings. Definitely worth adding to your collection.

Helps educate small children

This book has been a lifesaver in teaching my toddler that hands are for things like hugging and helping—not smacking, swatting, or auditioning for toddler fight club. The Best Behavior series nails it again with simple words and pictures that somehow cut through the chaos and keep my kid engaged.The format is genius: start with what hands are for (“helping mommy clean up the million toys you dumped out”), then explain what they’re not for (“hitting mom because she dared to say no to a third snack”). It’s clear, gentle, and exactly what we needed to curb the tiny tornado of hands flying at inappropriate moments.We’ve even started using the book’s format in everyday life. “What are hands for?” gets a thoughtful response, while “What are they NOT for?” earns a little head tilt like they’re really pondering their choices. Anytime there’s a slip-up, out comes the book, and it’s like a magical toddler reboot.If your kid is testing the boundaries of what hands can do (spoiler: it’s not hitting), this book is a must-have. It’s effective and has definitely made our house a more peaceful place.

Like most mamas, we experience hitting. My 2 year old boy has been hitting to get attention, especially since we brought home our newest addition, his baby brother. Now, we have something to refer to that we can call out when he does hit instead of just yelling at him. The book has been very helpful and we read it every night!

Our son has been working with therapists to curb some aggression, and social stories are super helpful with that. This book has helped to reinforce the desired behavior of "kind hands" and because it is a board book, it has held up to many, many readings. The pictures are clear and simple to process and the messaging is very direct. It has been a help!

These books are amazing for all ages!

The one I chose this for is actually picking it from the bookcase for me to read! The colors on the front entice her!

Great book for first time school age kids.