C.J.
Doing exactly what you are doing is the key. Redirecting he attention, and telling her "No Hitting" is great. My daughter is at an age, where she will go to do something like hit, and or touch something she is not oo, and she will say,"NO" before she even does it, so she understands she is not to do the following. Kepp up the great work. Dont hit her back, and you are correct when you say,"that is not an effective teaching method". They dont understand just yet, that it hurts. They are displaying feelings, and because they can't talk, they have no other way to show you there feelings, than to get frustrated and or hit, cry, temper tantrum etc...You are doing a great job.