Why "No" Doesn't Work for Toddlers Under 3 — And What to Say Instead Ep 157

If you've ever said "no" to your toddler and watched them do it anyway — you're not failing. You're just missing one piece of information that changes everything.

The developing brain under three cannot reliably process negation. "Don't throw" registers as "throw." "No hitting" registers as "hit." 

And the more you escalate, the more you reinforce the exact behavior you're trying to stop.

In this episode, Erin breaks down why throwing, hitting, and grabbing are not three separate problems — they're one neurological reality — and gives you the specific language and strategies your toddler's brain can actually receive and learn from.

You'll walk away understanding:

→ Why "No" fails — and the developmental timeline behind it
→ What's really happening when you lose your patience (it's more honest than you'd expect)
→ Why your toddler laughs when they hit — and what that laugh actually means
→ How to respond to throwing, hitting, and grabbing in the moment
→ The four things that work every time, across every situation

This is the episode to share with every mom in the thick of the toddler years.

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Talking Toddlers | Erin Hyer, M.S. CCC-SLP
Early intervention. Prevention over remediation. Real information for the first three years.

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DISCLAIMER:

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your pediatrician or a qualified health provider with questions about your child’s development or health. The views shared are based on Erin Hyer’s professional experience and are intended to support informed parenting, not to replace individual consultation or care. Every child and family is unique — please use your discretion and consult trusted professionals when making decisions for your child.

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 🌐 www.HyerLearning.com