Toddler suddenly hitting

DS is going to be 3 in May. Usually plays nice and so passive. In daycare the teacher says if a child takes something from him he just moves on to something else.
Has always been passive and avoids conflicts.
He's also delayed and immature so I feel like he's just becoming a toddler, but late. If you understand. He goes to EI for Speech and OT. He's starting to catch up for his age with comprehension, but delayed in expressive and receptive language.
Now when he's frustrated he'll hit himself or bang his head.
I called the teacher today to see how he was doing and she said he's been off the last few days. More moody and hitting kids. Not hard at all (I know DS b/c he taps) and she said he's just tapping the other kids, but of course she has to talk to him about it. He doesn't understand or like to get in trouble so she said he goes and bangs his head.
He's been doing this at home, but I guess just started at school
She said he will do nice when asked.
I just don't know how to teach him about not hitting.
He'll do it to his baby brother, but like I said.. it's a tap so I distract him or remove the baby from the situation.
I just don't know how to work with him on not hurting others.
How does one go from extremely passive to starting to hit and get moody?
Thanks!

Re: Toddler suddenly hitting

bump
any advise

Re: Toddler suddenly hitting

I don't have a 3 year old but worked in dc for years and taught st for a few yrs. It sounds like typical 3 yr old stuff. I would just keep showing him and talking to him. I know he is delayed so it's hard but, if I remember correctly, you use pictures to help him. I would get some and show him.

Also, can this be from not getting enough sleep? He's have issues sleeping right?

Re: Toddler suddenly hitting

Re: Toddler suddenly hitting

Re: Toddler suddenly hitting

For the hitting, even if it is a tap, he needs to be punished for hit. If he doesn't stay put, I would put him in his high chair and have him face the corner and put a buzzer on so he knows. When he is done explain to him why he got the time out and walk away.

As far as him banging his head. If he does it on wood floors move him to carpet and tell him if he wants to hurt himself he can, but he has to do it on carpeting. I dealt with it with Luka and this is what I did. It didn't last long at all. Maybe 3 weeks at most. I noticed he was banging his head more out of frustration (he was 18 months) so I started giving him things to do when I saw he was getting to that point to distract. Like throwing D's diaper(she was 3 months old). It eventually stopped.

I hate to say it but what you are experiencing with him is really normal 3 year old behavior, delayed or not. I really think he is just testing you guys to see how far you will go and all kids do it. Now is the time to really lay down the rules and be stern. It is hard and I think he really understands more than you may think. I hope you don't think I am being insensitive but I have seen how far he has come.