The animated film “Jumbo” has gone viral after successfully attracting four million viewers. The film presents the reality of family and child relationships, wrapped in a unique story following the journey of Don and his friends.
Wulan Nur Jatmika, a child psychology expert from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), provided a psychological review of “Jumbo” and shared insights for parents on supporting their child’s growth and development.
According to Jatmika, “Jumbo” contains layered messages that can resonate differently with viewers of all ages. The film conveys morals about friendship, being a good friend, helping others, and fun adventures that entertain children.
For adult viewers, it evokes nostalgia through its touching storyline and the psychological dynamics of each character.
“I truly appreciate the artists who worked hard to bring this film to life—with its high-quality animation, storytelling, and character development, enriched with many life lessons that can serve as reflections,” Jatmika said at the UGM campus Monday (Apr. 21).
Jatmika pointed out that various social realities in “Jumbo” reflect the influence of family and environment on a child’s psychological condition. One of them is Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)—events or situations occurring before the age of 18 that have the potential to cause trauma.
Incidents such as losing a parent, neglect, witnessing or experiencing violence, and family dysfunction can all lead to traumatic experiences for children.
Elements of ACEs are evident in the backgrounds of several characters in “Jumbo.” For example, Don, who lost his parents; Atta, who grew up without parental care and in poverty; and Maesaroh and Nurman, who live with their grandfather without the emotional presence of their parents.
“These portrayals reflect the social reality in Indonesia, where children with ACEs are not difficult to find around us,” Jatmika explained.
She also highlighted the issue of childhood bullying depicted in the relationship between Don and Atta. Bullying, Jatmika noted, is a real and complex issue in children’s environments. Both bullies and victims are at risk of facing mental health challenges later in life.
“Children who bully often don’t act without cause. Many factors influence such behavior, including negative parenting styles, previous experiences as victims, and toxic social environments,” she said.
Interestingly, Don, who is bullied, receives strong emotional support, allowing him to remain cheerful and confident. This case demonstrates that bullying prevention cannot be done in isolation. Efforts must be made to minimize risk factors like negative parenting, high-stress environments, or social inequality.
Preventive efforts should also strengthen protective factors, such as a close relationship with parents or caregivers, social support, safe school environments, and community support systems.
Through “Jumbo,” audiences are reminded of the critical role of family and environment in shaping a child’s character. Thus, it is important for parents to equip children not only with what they want but also with what they truly need.
“Parents need to realize that everything done in the parenting process—especially during the first five years—can have significant and long-lasting effects on a child’s future,” Jatmika emphasized.
The expert added that children must have unconditional love and affection, life values, and strong moral guidance. Parental presence is essential in helping children understand and manage their emotions and gain broad knowledge and insight.
“With these provisions, children can grow into strong, healthy, independent individuals ready to face life’s challenges,” she concluded.
Author: Tasya
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Image: Visinema Pictures