Aidyn went through a hitting stage (as well as throwing) between 1.5yrs and 2.5yrs old. We just had to firmly repeat 'no hitting) (etc) over and over again. And simply explain that it is not nice to hit, as hitting hurts people. It sunk in eventually.
Although I have seen kids occasionally doing it at daycare, I don't think that is where he picked it up, I think it just came naturally to him out of frustration.
Now he has moved onto pinching us occasionally - purely for our reactions I think, so I am trying to nip that one in the bud too.
Good luck!
I forgot to mention, when Mackenzie stopped hitting other kids when we were driving home from visiting friends etc she would say 'I was a good girl I didn't hit XYZ' and we would then praise her - like taralee said praise is very important. I also praise a lot for good manners - how often do you hear parents asking for manners to be used but never praising for them using good manners?
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