Why Does My Toddler Throw Everything? Understanding Cause and Effect, Play Schemas, and Sensory Development

Hello to all my wonderful parents and fellow educators!

Recently, a family visited one of our drop-in programs with their 14-month-old toddler.

Like many toddlers this age, the child enjoyed throwing toys.

But this felt different.

Each time one hand became free, it immediately reached for another toy.

Within seconds, the toy was swung backwards with surprising force and released.

A soft ball.

A toy car.

A large plastic truck.

Almost anything within reach.

The child wasn't trying to throw at anyone, but because the toys were often thrown without looking behind, it quickly became a safety concern for everyone nearby.

As the child moved around the room, the parent quietly followed behind, picking up toy after toy.

When we talked, the parent smiled and said,

"It's the same at home. We've had to put most things away because everything gets thrown. It almost seems like throwing itself is what my child enjoys."

That conversation stayed with me.

Many toddlers throw things.

But sometimes parents notice that it isn't where the toy lands that seems interesting.

It is the act of throwing itself.

So why does this happen?

Throwing Is a Normal Part of Early Development

Between approximately 12 and 24 months, throwing is a very common part of development.

Toddlers are discovering one of the biggest scientific lessons of early childhood:

Cause and effect.

They begin asking questions through play, such as:

• What happens if I let go?
• Will it make a sound?
• Does it bounce?
• Will someone pick it up?

Although it may look repetitive to adults, children are learning about gravity, movement, and the physical properties of objects through hundreds of small experiments.

Sometimes Children Repeat Certain Types of Play

As early childhood educators, we often notice that some children become fascinated with repeating one particular type of play.

Developmental researchers sometimes describe these repeated patterns as schemas—natural ways that young children explore and make sense of the world.

Some children enjoy carrying objects everywhere.

Others repeatedly line objects up, wrap items in blankets, climb, rotate objects, or fill and empty containers.

Some children who love throwing may also be exploring what educators call a Trajectory Schema, becoming interested in how objects move through space.

However, not every child who throws objects is necessarily exploring this type of schema.

Every child expresses repeated play patterns differently, and one behaviour alone cannot tell us exactly why a child is doing it.

Could Your Child Simply Enjoy the Movement?

Sometimes, it may not be the toy that is most interesting.

It may be the movement itself.

Swinging an arm quickly before releasing an object provides strong feedback to the muscles and joints.

Occupational therapists describe this body feedback as proprioceptive input, which helps the brain understand where the body is and how it is moves.

Some children naturally seek more of this type of sensory input than others.

This does not necessarily mean something is wrong.

It simply reminds us that children explore and experience their bodies in different ways.

Why "Don't Throw" Usually Doesn't Work

Many parents naturally respond by saying,

"Don't throw."

The challenge is that, at this age, the parts of the brain responsible for predicting danger, controlling impulses, and consistently stopping an action are still developing.

Young toddlers are not choosing to ignore adults.

Their brains simply are not yet capable of the level of self-control that older children develop over time.

For many children, changing the environment is far more effective than expecting them to stop through verbal reminders alone.

Safety Always Comes First

Whether children are exploring cause and effect, repeating a play pattern, or enjoying the movement itself, safety must remain the priority.

A soft foam ball is very different from a heavy plastic truck.

If throwing becomes strong enough to put other children at risk, adults should calmly step in and make the environment safer.

Removing heavy objects is not a punishment.

It is simply good supervision.

Offering soft balls, bean bags, or other safe throwing materials allows children to continue exploring while helping protect everyone around them.

What Can Parents Try Instead?

Rather than focusing only on stopping the behaviour, consider providing safer alternatives.

You might try:

• Soft balls or bean bags for throwing
• A basket or box to throw into
• Rolling large balls across the floor
• Pushing a toy wagon or laundry basket
• Climbing, crawling, and active outdoor play
• Plenty of opportunities for whole-body movement every day

Sometimes changing what children throw is more successful than trying to stop throwing altogether.

When Is It Worth Asking for More Advice?

Most toddlers go through a throwing stage, and for many children it gradually becomes less frequent as their development progresses.

However, if throwing consistently creates significant safety concerns despite careful supervision, severely limits participation in everyday activities, or is accompanied by concerns in other areas of development—such as communication, social interaction, motor development, or play skills—it may be helpful to discuss your observations with your child's healthcare provider or an occupational therapist.

Looking at a child's overall development always provides a much clearer picture than focusing on one behaviour alone.

Wrapping Up Today's Wonder

Throwing is often much more than "bad behaviour."

For many toddlers, it is part of learning how the world works.

For some, it may reflect a repeated pattern of exploration.

For others, the movement itself may simply feel satisfying.

As adults, our role is not only to stop unsafe behaviour.

It is also to understand what children may be trying to learn while keeping everyone safe.

Sometimes the question is not,

"How do I stop my child from throwing?"

Instead, it becomes,

"How can I help my child explore safely?"

When we begin asking that question, we often discover that behaviour starts to make much more sense.

Information Table: Toddler Throwing Behaviour (12–24 Months)

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Recommended Age

12–24 Months

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Safety Tips

Recommended Practices: Provide soft throwing materials such as foam balls or bean bags, closely supervise around other children, and remove heavy or hard objects if throwing creates a safety risk.

Safety Reminder: Young toddlers are still developing the brain functions needed to predict danger and consistently control impulses. Creating a safe environment is often more effective than relying on verbal reminders alone.

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Developmental Key Points

Skills Supported: Cause-and-effect learning, motor planning, arm coordination, body awareness, and exploration through repeated play.

Expert ECE Advice: Throwing is a common part of toddler development. While many children are exploring cause and effect, some may also be repeating play patterns (schemas) or enjoying the movement itself. Looking at the child's overall development helps adults understand behaviour more accurately.

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Family Engagement Tip

Recommended Activity: Create a simple "throwing station" using soft balls and a laundry basket or large box. Giving children an appropriate place to throw helps support their curiosity while establishing safe boundaries about which objects are okay to throw.