Need advice

Angel

My son (20 months) is going through a "phase" or so I hope of hitting. As soon as he sees a kid, whether it's walking into daycare, nursery, or just a play day in general he walks up to them and slaps in the face. If the child is smaller then he really tries to go after them, like pretending to hug then wants to slap. We have tried different methods of discipline but nothing's helping. I get so embarrassed and I'm worried to let my child around other kids.