YOGYAKARTA – Tantrums in children aged 2 years often frustrate parents. Don't worry, before this tantrum makes you frustrated, first recognize the facts and prepare ammunition to overcome and even prevent it from happening.

Tantrums are intense emotional storms, usually fueled by anger, loss, disappointment and deep frustration. In toddlers aged 2 years, emotional outbursts can cause loud crying, struggling, screaming, stomping their feet, kicking, biting, throwing things, and even hitting those closest to them. In fact, according to Parenting for Brain, Tuesday, September 12, there are two types of tantrums.

First, a type of emotional tantrum that is not always about trying to control or manipulate parents so that their wishes are obeyed. This emotional destruction occurs when the emotional part in the limbic brain is too stimulated and takes over control of thinking in the pre-frontal cortex. All children are susceptible to this condition, even adults sometimes experience it. For young toddlers aged 2-3 years, they cannot reason or manipulate. They tend to have emotional meltdowns when they are upset.

Second, a type of tantrum called the Little Nero tantrum which occurs as a result of related learning. This is called a non-emotional tantrum, but it can also trigger emotional destruction if it is not controlled.

Illustration of facts and ways to deal with tantrums in 2 year old children (Freepik/shapovalphoto)

Tantrums in toddlers are a natural child behavior. Usually caused by unmet needs or desires. They are more likely to appear during toddlerhood because that is when they begin to realize that they are separated from their parents and want to seek independence, but they cannot. At this developmental age, their brains are still developing. Even though they try hard to be independent, they are still very limited. So they need attention from adults to fulfill their needs.

It is important to understand that a 2 year old child who has a tantrum is not because he is spoiled. They sometimes experience this because there is big turmoil in their hearts and their parents don't realize it. So when they are just learning to walk, they want to know many things around them, but they don't yet have the motor skills to get what they want. Apart from that, tantrums are also influenced by a lack of vocabulary to express oneself. This increases their tantrums and frustration.

The best way to deal with tantrums is to invite and accompany them to learn stress management skills and be assertive. They need to be taught to communicate their emotions with the right language. They also need to be taught to recognize types of emotions. Parents also need to 'read' their children's emotions through changes in behavior. That way, parents can help their little ones manage their emotions, not stop them. Because stopping a tantrum without encouragement from within them will actually have a negative effect on the way they manage their emotions independently.


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