Known as one of the developmental periods, the 2 year old syndrome is the period when children leave infancy behind and want to establish themselves as individuals. This syndrome is the first step towards becoming an individual and is a very tiring process for children and their families. During this period, children's language and communication skills are underdeveloped and behaviors such as stubbornness, tantrums, aggressive attitudes, refusing to accept anything, shouting, and restless behavior are at the forefront on the first path to individualization before adolescence. Before discussing how to approach children with 2 year old syndrome, it is important to understand "What is 2 year old syndrome?".
The 2-year-old syndrome, also called Terrible two, is a part of the psychological developmental process that is expected in children who are in good health. The 2-year-old syndrome is an important process that parents should carefully evaluate. Children try to prove themselves during this period. During this period, children become stubborn and aggressive, and parents should be patient during this period. They should know that children have not yet completed their development in this period and should act accordingly.
What are the Symptoms of 2-Year-Old Syndrome?
2 year old syndrome plays an important role in the development of children's personalities. Children are trying to express their specific experiences, their vocabulary and their essence to the outside world. Children at this age are not yet emotionally developed and often express themselves by crying. When they don't get their way, they throw themselves on the floor, hit people around them, shout, and exhibit object-damaging behavior.
These tantrums also negatively affect their normal nutrition. Children at this age see themselves as the center of the world and may act selfishly and impulsively. They make no effort to prevent these behaviors and ignore external interventions. At this point, children do the opposite of what their parents say and become stubborn. If the people around them try to dominate the child during this period, they are exposed to children's angry behavior. If your child has these symptoms of 2 year old syndrome, parents should remain calm, keep the situation under control and allow the child to express his/her feelings.
How should a child with 2 year old syndrome be treated?
During this period, children may experience conflict with their families about everything related to them. This is a period when families experience anxiety. Parents have difficulty in finding solutions and how to act in this process. Trying to remain calm and approaching the instinctive reactions of children logically will have a positive effect on the child's mental and emotional development. Children in this age group are not yet at a conscious age regarding authority and have difficulty perceiving this process. However, this situation does not require giving the answer "Yes" to the issue that was previously said "No" after the child's crying or insistence. It does not require a "Yes" answer. The family needs to act consistently. In this period, it is right neither to set excessive limits nor to leave the child completely alone. Warning the child one by one for every behavior he/she exhibits also affects the development of his/her personality in a bad way.
While dialoguing with the child, clear and understandable words should be chosen and ironic words should be avoided. In order to have a pleasant time with the child, it is much more appropriate to play games with the child and educate the child in this way. When making warnings and speeches, it may be more effective to lean at the child's height. In this way, the child realizes that he/she is an individual and that he/she is taken into consideration by the other person.
The child's personal development needs to be supported. At this point, the child should be given tasks that he/she can accomplish on his/her own and should be encouraged to accomplish these tasks. His/her energy should be dissipated with outdoor activities, and he/she should be allowed to run, play games and move freely as long as it is not risky.
When Does 2-Year-Old Syndrome End?
Negative and angry behaviors of children generally end between the ages of 3 and 3.5. However, this situation may continue until the end of the age of four. This syndrome varies according to the child's personal and emotional development and should not be considered a disorder. The syndrome ends when the child is mentally and emotionally competent. Aggressive attitudes and negative behaviors end. This period should be considered by parents as the first adolescence. For parents who have difficulties in dealing with 2 year old syndrome, getting support from a specialist will help the child to overcome this period in a way that contributes to individual development.
What Frustrates Children with 2-Year-Old Syndrome?
Sometimes children may not have the patience to wait. Children's hand-eye coordination is not yet fully developed in this period, so even if they want to do their own work, they may experience frustration because they cannot do these jobs. During this period, being understanding and giving the child tasks that they can accomplish makes them feel that you accept them as an individual and makes them happy.
When to Seek Medical Help for 2-Year-Old Syndrome?
Age 2 syndrome is not a disease. Families should be patient during these periods and approach the child more consciously and understandingly. 2 years old syndrome usually starts between 18 months and lasts until the child is between three and three and a half years old. During this period, the child asserts himself/herself and wants everything to be his/her own and therefore exhibits persistent behaviors. No matter how much these behaviors wear families down, they should accept that this situation is temporary and behave accordingly. At this stage, the child should not be characterized as a maladaptive, poorly raised, bad-tempered child.