Toddler behavior advice!

I didn’t know where else to post this so figured I’d post it here.

I have absolutely no experience with kids as I have none of my own and have only been working in a preschool/daycare setting for about 7 months now.

I am working with one year olds currently and my co-teacher and I are trying to come up with a resolution for our…..well let’s just call them our “problem kids.”

We have several biters….they bite when frustrated or angry usually and have even broken the skin on other children.😬. We also have a couple who will just tackle the other kids…..I mean really ram into them, pin them down, pull their hair and beat on their heads.

Then we have the three boys who love to rearrange the furniture. They will move the shelves around that we keep the toys on and even flip them over! Yes they are that strong! This causes them to smash their fingers or possibly hurt other kids by flipping the shelves on top of them. Thank God they haven’t done that yet!

Oh and let’s not forget the ones who constantly love to climb up on the tables, walk around on them, dance on them, do flips on them and roll right off of them! We constant say “no!” And “down!” And remove them from the tables about 5,000 times per day. Within five seconds they are right back up there! Then all the kids are up there! It’s basically monkey see monkey do.

This scares me to death as I am alone with the kids for almost two hours in the mornings before my co-teacher arrives and whenever I have a child on the changing table changing their diaper, I can’t rush over and correct the table climbers.

We are not allowed to remove the tables due to DSS regulations so that isn’t an option. We also cannot remove the shelves. I am just so scared one of the kids are going to get seriously hurt.

We did recently start bringing a couple of high chairs in the classroom to place the troublemakers in when they don’t listen which helps keep them contained, but one of the boys loves the high chairs and actually wants to sit in it….would sit in it all day if we let him. So it’s not a punishment for him and doesn’t correct his behaviors.

Also, we are not allowed to use “time outs” with the kids. There is very little we can do in regards to punishments. We also have 12 toddlers in our class so it’s difficult to keep constant tabs on every single one at all times. So we may not see every bite, tackle etc. Just like today one of the little boys got a black eye and we have no idea how it happened.😬😩

So just looking for advice on how to correct these behaviors in order to keep all the children safe?

Any experts on children out there? Or parents who have dealt with these behaviors? Help!? lol

They belong with their mothers and fathers

Posted by ThatWoman
I have a 2-yr old toddler too but he isn't that chaotic but yes he climbed and stuff not to the point of hurting himself coz he being careful.


Story telling with puppets..

Singing even when we give instructions in singing

Distract them by showing other things (super dramatically) like say, "Look! There are beautiful birds!!! Hi, birds! We want to play with you!" By placing the bird (toy, paper, picture) etc. Then sing again, pretending flying basically just be theatrical.. then sing again, "the birds are flying up in the sky, one by one, two by two.. Let's see their colours, red, blue, yellow.." blablabla

I did the theatrics and I could get a hold of their attention from time to time

But it does exhausted me as I should be in a constant creative mode..

How long is your class, 2 hrs I assume..


In nursery, have you got them all set up during circle time?

This actually works, distracting them.

My son's turning 2 next month and he tends to bite when he feels you're not giving him attention (he likes it when you stare at him while he's playing or watching cartoons).

I posted your question to chatgbt 😊 here are the answers :

1. Rethink “Punishment” — Use Redirection and Natural Consequences

At this age (12–24 months), toddlers aren’t developmentally ready to understand punishment. What works better is:

Redirection: When they climb a table, redirect them to a safe climbing alternative like a small soft climber, foam blocks, or even crawling tunnels.

Natural consequences: “Tables are for sitting. If you stand, you’ll need to come down and play on the floor.” Then help them down calmly and move them to a new activity.

Tip: Narrate your actions calmly: “You’re standing on the table. That’s not safe. I’m helping you down. Let’s climb on the blocks instead.” Over time, this helps reinforce expectations.

👶 2. Biting and Aggression — Prevent, Don’t Punish

Biting and tackling often come from frustration, sensory seeking, or lack of communication. Here's how to manage:

Shadow the known biters during high-risk times (transition, tired, hungry, overstimulated).

Give words to feelings: “You’re mad. You wanted the toy. But no biting — biting hurts. Let’s use our words/hands.”

Give alternatives: Some toddlers bite because they’re teething or overstimulated. Offer chewy toys, rubber teethers, or even cold washcloths they can safely bite.

Social stories or puppets that model “gentle hands” and “no biting” help too — even with young toddlers.

🪑 3. High Chairs as Containment ≠ Effective

It’s understandable why you’re trying this, but using high chairs as a behavioral control tool often backfires — especially when some kids like them. Instead, consider:

Using “busy bins” or small individual activities (puzzles, textured toys) for kids who need to be “contained” momentarily.

Visual structure — Toddlers crave routine and clarity. Using visual schedules, consistent songs for transitions, and zones in the room (quiet space, movement space, manipulative area) reduces chaos.

4. The Shelves — Containment & Safety First

If shelves can’t be removed, consider:

Anchoring them to the wall if possible (ask your admin about this).

Turning them backward so kids can’t access the lower parts to climb.

Placing heavier materials on the bottom to make them harder to move.

Also — foam bumpers can be added to edges to minimize injury.

🧠 5. Sensory & Movement Needs Are Real

Many toddlers (especially boys, though not only) need to move, climb, push, carry. Try to offer:

Push toys, weighted toys, or boxes with safe weight in them.

Obstacle courses or short movement breaks where they can climb legally and safely.

If you don’t have safe climbing equipment — even a folded mat, pillow pile, or tunnel can help.

Redirecting the energy before it explodes can prevent a lot of incidents.

⏱️ 6. You’re Alone in the Morning — Prioritize Safety Over Everything

If you’re solo with 12 toddlers, you’re in a legally and ethically challenging situation. You cannot be expected to keep all 12 safe during diaper changes, climbing episodes, etc. Document this and bring it up with your director. Here’s what you can do in the meantime:

Position changing tables to view the group as much as possible.

Keep known climbers close to you or assign them a "special helper" role in the mornings.

Use gates or furniture to zone off a safer play area while you’re changing diapers.

7. Document, Document, Document

For your safety and the children’s:

Log injuries, including unknown causes.

Note incident times, possible triggers, and your interventions.

This protects you and helps identify patterns that could be changed through the classroom setup or routine.

💬 8. Talk to Your Admin — Advocate for Support

You’re clearly trying hard and care deeply. But if you’re understaffed and the room is unsafe:

Bring your concerns in writing.

Ask for an aide during the solo morning shift or fewer kids until your co-teacher arrives.

Stress that injuries will happen in unsafe conditions — you’re doing your best but can’t do everything alone.

🧡 9. You’re Not Alone — This Is HARD

This isn’t about you not being “good” with kids — this is about managing a high-stress environment with intense needs, limited support, and big developmental differences.

If you can, connect with:

Your local CCR&R (Child Care Resource & Referral) for behavior support coaches

Early Intervention if some kids seem significantly behind or aggressive

Online support groups like r/ECEProfessionals on Reddit or FB groups for toddler teachers

You’re doing important work. You’re showing up. That’s enough — and it’s brave. Keep advocating for safety, lean into redirection over punishment, and don’t be afraid to speak up when the environment makes safe supervision impossible.

If you want help crafting a message to your director or setting up your room for better safety/flow, I’d be happy to assist further!

Posted by MrsElle
The ratio of provider and children under 3 usually is 1:4 or 1:3....it varies by state.


If you are handling 12 children alone for two hours, that's a problem.


If I was a parent of one of those children, I would be pissed off.

Sorry I should clarify. When I’m alone for the two hours I only have 6 which is what my state allows. When my co-teacher arrives we get 6 more. However, I have 2 of the three table climbers in the mornings so it’s just difficult.