Self Injury

Why does my child hit their own head, and how do I keep them safe?

Head-hitting in young children is usually a way of communicating frustration, overwhelm, tiredness, pain or a sensory need, and most often eases with growth. Keep your child safe by softening the space, staying calm, naming the feeling, offering a safe alternative, and ruling out pain. Seek help if it causes injury, worsens, or comes with distress or loss of skills.