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Does she actually understand what you mean by "hit"? You say it almost seems to be a form of greeting. Maybe she doesn't understand that that is the behaviour you are talking about? Perhaps she can't distinguish between a gentle touch and a slap? When she hits, try re-enacting the situation with what she sould have done -or better still "what she should do next time"
"Uh-oh, Esmerelda, it looks like you were too rough when you said hi to Ernest then. You hit him and it hurt him. Let's go over and say sorry.......OK next time, when you want to say hi, use your words and gentle touches only. Like this. Can you try that?" Or something like that. Model the desirable behaviour. And praise her when it's good. "I noticed how you were very gentle when you said hi there. that was great".
yeah, you may need to have a barf bucket handy if this "happy child care professional" talk doesn't come naturally. But just don't laugh. it spoils it.
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The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart
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