{"id":2795,"date":"2025-12-02T15:47:22","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T12:47:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/?p=2795"},"modified":"2025-12-02T15:47:25","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T12:47:25","slug":"sudden-behavioural-change-in-2-year-old-child","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/en\/sudden-behavioural-change-in-2-year-old-child\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00a0Sudden Behavioural Change in 2 Year Old Child: 18-36 Months Silent Regression Symptoms and Scientific Guide for Mothers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>What causes sudden moodiness, crying spells, clinging to mother, night waking and behavioural changes in 2 year olds? 18-36 months silent regression symptoms and solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/full-shot-kid-playing-floor-with-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2803\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/full-shot-kid-playing-floor-with-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/full-shot-kid-playing-floor-with-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/full-shot-kid-playing-floor-with-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/full-shot-kid-playing-floor-with-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/full-shot-kid-playing-floor-with-2048x1362.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/full-shot-kid-playing-floor-with-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/full-shot-kid-playing-floor-with-133x88.jpg 133w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/full-shot-kid-playing-floor-with-1320x878.jpg 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is Silent Regression in a 2 Year Old Child?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At the age of 2, many mothers say the same sentence:<br><strong>\u201cYesterday he was so calm, today he's like a completely different person...\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These unexpected changes are often not a problem;<br>is a new skill created by the rapidly developing new skills in the child's brain.&nbsp;<strong>silent regression<\/strong>&nbsp;period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Silent regression, seen between 18-36 months:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>sudden changes in behaviour,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>crying for no reason,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>don't stick to mum,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>sleep disturbance,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>return behaviour (baby talk, asking for a pacifier),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>intense emotional fluctuations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>such as the following transient but strong symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Understanding this period is both calming and guiding for mothers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Causes Sudden Behavioural Changes in 2-Year-Old Children?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A clear answer to the most asked question by mums on Google:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&nbsp;<strong>1. Brain Development Explosion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The baby's brain is fully developed between 18-36 months&nbsp;<em>under construction<\/em>.<br>Language, motor skills, social awareness and emotional management develop at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&nbsp;<strong>2. Dissociation-individuation process<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the period when the child says \u201cI exist!\u201d.<br>But emotionally he is still very much attached to the mother \u2192 he experiences conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Overflow of emotions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A 2-year-old can't put into words what he feels.<br>Therefore it expresses itself through behaviour:<br>Crying, pushing, kissing, running away and hugging again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&nbsp;<strong>4. Change in routines<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Moving, holidays, guests, mother's mood...<br>It makes a big difference in the toddler world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/child-himself-eats-dairy-with-sp-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/child-himself-eats-dairy-with-sp-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/child-himself-eats-dairy-with-sp-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/child-himself-eats-dairy-with-sp-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/child-himself-eats-dairy-with-sp-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/child-himself-eats-dairy-with-sp-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/child-himself-eats-dairy-with-sp-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/child-himself-eats-dairy-with-sp-133x89.jpg 133w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/child-himself-eats-dairy-with-sp-1320x880.jpg 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Silent regression (period of unnoticed development)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The developmental leap just prior to the developmental leap&nbsp;<em>silent<\/em>&nbsp;is a period of stagnation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u00a010 Most Obvious Signs of Silent Regression at 2 Years of Age<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This section is highly searched on Google - it will get you up fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Sudden onset of moodiness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The child who smiled yesterday may be crying all the time today.<br>This is completely normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Return of the period of excessive attachment to the mother<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>He won't even let you go to the loo alone.<br>This is an intensification of the search for trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Return behaviour<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Baby talk<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Asking for a pacifier or bottle<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Don't want to be cuddled<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Decline in toilet training<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These are signs of developmental stagnation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Increased outbursts of anger<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Suddenly shouting, throwing, hitting, throwing yourself down...<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/distracted-girl-with-toys-lookin-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2801\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/distracted-girl-with-toys-lookin-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/distracted-girl-with-toys-lookin-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/distracted-girl-with-toys-lookin-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/distracted-girl-with-toys-lookin-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/distracted-girl-with-toys-lookin-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/distracted-girl-with-toys-lookin-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/distracted-girl-with-toys-lookin-133x89.jpg 133w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/distracted-girl-with-toys-lookin-1320x880.jpg 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Excessive kissing and hugging \u2192 then abrupt withdrawal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It looks like a cycle of love and escape.<br>It's about emotion management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6. Sleep disturbances<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Frequent night waking<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nightmare-like crying<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Don't come to your mum<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Difficulty falling asleep<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7. Food refusal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Decreased appetite is very common during this period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>8. Shouting, scratching, hitting<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Since he cannot control his emotions, he discharges them through behaviour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>9. Change in games<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Long time stuck on a single game<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Never want to play<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>10. Introversion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A period of extreme shyness may begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How long do these symptoms last?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Silent regression usually:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&nbsp;<strong>2-6 weeks<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>between.<br>It may be shorter in some children and slightly longer in some children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But they all have one thing in common:<br><strong>This period will surely pass.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&nbsp;<strong>What should the mother do during this period? (Scientific + Practical Guide)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"> 1. Name the child's emotion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou're upset, I realise.\u201d<br>\u201cYou look sad right now, I'm here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This calms the emotional centre of the brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"> 2. Keep routines stable<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>2-year-olds do not like uncertainty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Use short and clear sentences<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNow it's time to eat.\u201d<br>\u201cNow we prepare for sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Physical contact is very effective<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Hugging, stroking hair, cuddling \u2192 the cure for regression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"819\" src=\"https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/smiley-kid-hugging-his-grandma-2-1024x819.jpg\" alt=\"smiley-kid-hugging\" class=\"wp-image-2805\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/smiley-kid-hugging-his-grandma-2-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/smiley-kid-hugging-his-grandma-2-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/smiley-kid-hugging-his-grandma-2-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/smiley-kid-hugging-his-grandma-2-1536x1229.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/smiley-kid-hugging-his-grandma-2-2048x1638.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/smiley-kid-hugging-his-grandma-2-15x12.jpg 15w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/smiley-kid-hugging-his-grandma-2-133x106.jpg 133w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/smiley-kid-hugging-his-grandma-2-1320x1056.jpg 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"> 5. Power struggle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Toddler d\u00f6neminin %80\u2019i ileti\u015fim, %20\u2019si s\u0131n\u0131rd\u0131r.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Don't try to speed it up<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Development has its own rhythm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Self-blame<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This period is not the mother's fault.<br>It is a purely neurological process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Happens When Silent Regression Ends? (Most mother-baby blogs don't!)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When this period is over, the child suddenly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>To speak better<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I'm trying to be more compliant<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To sleep more comfortably<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To communicate more<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Begin to acquire new vocabulary and skills<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>I mean:<br><strong>\u201cWhat appears to be going backwards is actually the preparation for a leap forward.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&nbsp;<strong>Silent Regression Games that can be Practised at Home<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Colour matching<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sensory box<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tower building<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dough squeezing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Water pouring games<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mystery bag<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Story cards<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These activities balance emotional and cognitive development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Montessori approach makes it very easy to understand this period.<br>I recommend you to take a look at this article in which I explain the basics of Montessori:<br>&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/en\/montessori-education-for-babies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Montessori Education for Babies<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/full-shot-child-playing-with-toy-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2802\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/full-shot-child-playing-with-toy-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/full-shot-child-playing-with-toy-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/full-shot-child-playing-with-toy-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/full-shot-child-playing-with-toy-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/full-shot-child-playing-with-toy-2048x1362.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/full-shot-child-playing-with-toy-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/full-shot-child-playing-with-toy-133x88.jpg 133w, https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/full-shot-child-playing-with-toy-1320x878.jpg 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conclusion: \u201cThis too shall pass, indeed it shall pass.\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Silent regression; It is one of the most natural parts of growth, which seems difficult from the outside, but where great doors are opened in the inner world of the child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The mother's calmness, contact and love are the most powerful healers of this period.<br>Remember:<br><strong>Great developments come after quiet lulls.<\/strong><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>2 ya\u015f \u00e7ocu\u011funda ani huysuzluk, a\u011flama krizleri, anneye yap\u0131\u015fma, gece uyanmalar\u0131 ve davran\u0131\u015f de\u011fi\u015fiklikleri neden olur? 18\u201336 ay sessiz regresyon belirtileri ve \u00e7\u00f6z\u00fcmleri. 2 Ya\u015f \u00c7ocu\u011funda Sessiz Regresyon Nedir? 2 ya\u015f d\u00f6neminde bir\u00e7ok anne ayn\u0131 c\u00fcmleyi kuruyor:\u201cD\u00fcn \u00e7ok sakindi, bug\u00fcn tamamen ba\u015fka biri gibi\u2026\u201d Bu beklenmedik de\u011fi\u015fimler \u00e7o\u011fu zaman bir sorun de\u011fil;\u00e7ocu\u011fun beyninde h\u0131zla geli\u015fen [&hellip;]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2804,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,58],"tags":[421,424,423,422],"class_list":{"0":"post-2795","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-ebeveynlik-ipuclari","8":"category-psikoloji-ve-duygusal-egitim","9":"tag-2-yas-davranis-degisikligi","10":"tag-cocuk-davranislari","11":"tag-montessori-yaklasimi","12":"tag-sessiz-regresyon"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2795","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2795"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2795\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2809,"href":"https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2795\/revisions\/2809"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2804"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2795"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2795"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iskiliga.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2795"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}