Toddlers hit others for a variety of reasons.  When hitting is driven by emotion, then the child does not need “punishment” or “time out”.   The child needs the adult to help learn that hitting hurts and that as the child grows, the adult will teach and model how to express emotions in a more appropriate way.  Toddlers cannot contain their emotions so here are some tips: 

• Anticipate the behavior – when the child’s arm reaches out to take a swat, then gently hold the arm/hand.  Remain calm and matter-of-fact and say, “Hitting hurts.  It is my job to keep everyone safe”.  Maintain eye contact and continue to hold the child gently until you feel the child is not going to try again.  You may get some “push back” so hold the child in a firm, but loving way. 
• Don’t be surprised if the child begins to cry or yell.  Getting the negative feelings out is important. 
• Stay calm and think of this as a teaching moment. 
• Your goal is to prevent the hit and to let the child know that you are in control when the child is not.  Later, the child may feel badly about hitting and this feeling is not helpful so use words like “as you grow bigger, you will learn not to hit”.  Avoid the word “bad”.
• Know that developmentally this is typical for toddler development and has little to nothing to do with malicious behavior. 
• Sometimes children hit to accomplish a goal (getting a toy from someone) or to gain attention.  If this is the case, then your response may be slightly different.  You will have to remove your child from the situation, making sure that there is not a “hit” in exchange for the toy.