If your child does bite and hit others when frustrated, If you are asking yourself "Is My Child A 'violent by nature' kind of person?" The answer is a resounding NO.
Toddlers are not really capable of understanding violence as a concept.
You need to look at it as a healthy release of energy, one that you need to correct as soon as possible.
Toddlers tend to let go of themselves when it comes to getting angry or upset.
They do not yet possess the skills to handle strong emotions or deal with intense feelings.
If a child is biting or hitting other kids you need to know that it although it is not okay, it is normal.
Another thing that might help you to feel a little more comfortable is that you are not alone.
Many young toddlers who grow up to be passive and gentle are the biter's, slappers, and the kickers.
The truth is this is normal toddler behavior and not a cause for alarm.
It does however need to be addressed and quickly too.
Otherwise the situation may grow into the realm of a real problem and you have an aggressive child on your hands.
Teaching a troublesome toddler that it is not okay to hit someone whenever they are angry or upset, or whenever they just plain feel like it; is always easier when tackled right away.
You will need to repeat yourself over and over again and expect it to take some time to really sink in.
Children at this stage are learning everything all at once and soon forget.
So you need to remind them as often as necessary.
Each time you need to remind them you also need to reprimand them in some healthy form.
By this is meant they should be immediately made to reconcile their actions.
They should openly apologize and then explain to you and anyone else involved exactly why it is wrong.
The more they are made to be accountable for the action, the more they are forced to confront it head on, the more they will think twice about doing it the next time.
Your child has a natural inclination to lash out when ever they become angry.
Try to anticipate the kinds of things that make your child angry or gets them upset and help them learn to deal with it better.
If they have trouble sharing show them how fun it can be.
Demonstrate to them and they will follow suite every time.
You are your child's whole world and they follow your every move.
If you show them that you dislike biting and always are consistent with reminding them it is unwelcome they will soon lose interest in it.
Toddlers can seem to go into a rage, Let them.
It is important that you not judge their feelings as wrong but their behavior stemming from those feelings.
If you validate them first you can communicate with them after.
They will not listen to someone who they do not feel safe with or who does not at least appear to understand.
Allowing them to blow off some steam so long as they are not in danger or hurting others will go a long way towards breaking through to them.
Another suggestion might be to video tape their behavior on a cell phone or digital camera and after they have calmed down showing it to them and discussing it.
This would be an age appropriate call and/or a personal call on your part whether this will be helpful or not.
The best thing to do as a parent is to just be there for them and try to understand it is only a phase.
Seeing it for what it is, an emotionally underdeveloped toddler releasing energy; really helps you to be more understanding.
After a while it will all be behind you and no more biting, scratching, kicking or punching and the troubled toddler will grow out of it.