When I Feel Like Hitting – A Gentle Social Story to Help Toddlers Use Safe Hands
As a daycare provider, I’ve seen toddlers experience big feelings that are hard to manage. One of the most common is hitting — especially when a child feels angry, frustrated, or overwhelmed. I created this printable social story because I needed something calm and clear for my own daycare program. A story that didn’t just say "don’t hit" but helped toddlers understand what they can do instead.
Why I Created This Story
I made When I Feel Like Hitting after seeing the same pattern over and over in my daycare. A child would feel ignored or upset when someone didn’t share. They didn’t know how to express that feeling — so they hit.
I wanted something visual, something gentle, and something that could be used again and again. This story has now become one of our most-used tools. I designed it using real moments from my program, and it’s worked better than I imagined.
What the Story Teaches
This 7-page story helps toddlers:
Recognize what anger feels like
Notice when their body wants to hit
Learn safe and helpful choices
Understand that feelings are okay
Practice using “safe hands” in real-life situations
Each story line is simple and toddler-friendly. The tone is gentle, and the message is clear. It doesn’t shame or punish. It reflects the way children actually feel — and guides them toward better choices.
What’s Included in the Download
🧠 7 story pages (half-letter size, with 14 short story lines)
🌱 1 Wonder Questions page with open-ended prompts
🎨 Autism-friendly visuals (flat, clean, board-marker style)
🧩 White background and distraction-free layout
📄 Instant digital download (PDF)
📌 Bonus Safe Hands Poster for calm-down spaces
You can print the half-page version (5.5" x 8.5") for a compact, easy-to-use format that fits perfectly in calm-down kits, small folders, or therapy bags.
Real Results in My Daycare
One of my toddlers had a hard time with sharing. Every time another child picked up a toy, he’d rush over and grab it. Sometimes he hit. When we started reading this story together, I saw a shift.
A few weeks later, he got frustrated and walked away instead of lashing out. Then he pointed at our Safe Hands poster. That moment showed me this tool was really working.
I’ve since used it in different calm-down situations, and the children now recognize the story as part of our emotional routine. It’s not just a resource — it’s a habit.
Who Is This For?
Toddlers and preschoolers learning emotional skills
Children with autism or sensory differences
Speech-delayed or non-verbal children
Parents, teachers, and daycare educators
If you support young kids who are still learning how to cope with big feelings, this story was made for you.
Why Visual Stories Work
Children under five learn best through repetition, play, and visual modeling. This printable uses a calm white background, minimal expression, and clean visuals to support comprehension.
There are no bright colors or clutter. Just soft illustrations and clear actions — like breathing, walking away, or asking for help. This design helps both neurotypical and neurodiverse learners stay focused and calm.
Easy to Print and Use
Option 1: Full Size (8.5 x 11)
Open PDF
Print at actual size (100 percent scale)
Staple or bind for use at home or in class
Option 2: Half-Page Format (5.5" x 8.5")
Open the mini-book PDF file
In your print settings, select:
• Landscape orientation
• Print on both sides
• Flip on short edge
• Actual Size
• US Letter paper (8.5" x 11")After printing, cut the sheet horizontally across the middle
Stack the pages in order and staple on the left side
You now have a half-page storybook that’s perfect for calm-down spaces or on-the-go use
This flexibility makes it easy to bring the story into any space — school, home, or daycare.
Ready to Support Your Toddler?
You can grab the When I Feel Like Hitting story right here:
🛒 Download it instantly on Etsy
It’s a simple but powerful tool that helps toddlers name their feelings and choose safe actions. With consistency, this story can help turn tough moments into teaching moments.
I use this resource in my own home daycare — and now you can too.
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