Supporting Your Child's Temperament

A child’s temperament, or style of behavior, is present at birth. Temperaments are resistant to change and affect lives into adulthood.Because your child’s temperament is inherited, it stays the same over time. But culture and parenting also play a role in shaping your child’s responses to his world.

Type Of Temperaments  

Activity level:   How physically active is your child some children use their bodies to solve problem, release energy, and express emotions. These children can’t sit still very long and do a lot of jumping, rolling, and running. Children will a law activity level can sit for longer periods of time and enjoy quiet activities.

Regularity:   Can you predict your child’s schedule for eating, sleeping, and toileting. Some children may be totally unpredictable and unable to establish a routine. Others are very regular.

Approach/withdrawal:  How does your child respond to a new situation or environment? Some eagerly jump into new experiences and enjoy changes. Other are very cautious and like to become thoroughly familiar by watching before interacting.

Adaptability:  Does your child have difficulty adapting to change. Change can be a continuous struggle for some children. They don’t like change and need extra transition time.

Sensitivity:   The child with low sensitivity isn’t bothered too much by pain, loud noises, or a feel of clothing. Children with high sensitivity usually react negatively to noises, colors, bright lights, food tastes, texture of clothing, and change in temperature. They can become easily overstimulated, and may react be crying.

Mood:   Does your child display pleasant or negative behaviors most often.

Persistence/Attention span:Does your child give up easily in the face of frustration. Persistent children will work for a long time to achieve goals. Low-persistent children become frustrated easily and are unable to stick to a task if it is too challenging.

Distractibility:    How easily can your child be distracted. Children who have high distractibility can focus well in school and follow instructions. However, they can become “locked” into an activity and not hear you when you call. They may become frustrated if force to change their focus too soon.

Intensity: How much energy does your child use in both her positive and negative behavior. Some children don’t just cry, they wail. They don’t just smile or laugh; they scream or laugh heartily.

Tips for parents who have children with challenging temperaments

    All children are challenging at times. It takes a great deal of energy to be a good parent. Parenting is rarely an easy job, but it is much harder with children who have difficult or hard-to-manage temperaments. N0 matter what temperament a child has; she can develop normally with help from the adults in her life. Here are some pointers.

·       Identify your child’s temperament traits The graph sheet that follows will help you chart your child’s traits. Notice how the traits affect her behavior

·       Describe what you are observing to the child This helps her learn about her behavior style, how to handle it, and what you expert from her, “you don’t like new places. You like to watch until you feel comfortable.” “you are not hungry, but you have to sit with us at the table for a few minutes before you play.”

·       Identify your own temperament traits Use the chart that follows to note how your traits affect your behavior.

·       Consider whether your temperamental train are those of your child fit together easily. If not, recognize any difficulties which the differences may cause. For example, a parent who has low sensitivity has difficult being patient with her highly sensitive child who can’t tolerate the feel of the tags on her shirts. Remember that your child is behaving according to the temperament with which she was born. You can help by creating a flexible caregiving environment that adapts to her individual temperament.

·       Avoid criticizing or labeling your child. Do not use words such as stupid, lazy, forgetful, wild, fussy, quitter, or shy.

   

Supporting your Child’s Temperament 

When your child has a…..	You can support your child by……
High activity level, he burns lots of energy, moves often, and gets restless when sitting still for too long.	·        Providing opportunities that allows your child to move about freely. ·        Creating a large, safe play environment.
Low activity level, he is connect playing calmly.	·        Encouraging, but not forcing, more active play. ·        Limiting TV and screen time.
Regular daily pattern, he may be very consistent in eating and sleeping.	·        Explaining what will happen ahead of time. ·        Providing security in new setting.
Flexible patterns, his eating and sleeping routines may be unpredictable.	·        Watching his cues to figure out what he needs, especially during times of change. ·        Adapting your own daily patterns to match his as much as possible.
Long attention span, he is able to focus on a task, shifting when he wants to.	·        Praising your persistent child’s ability to play and focus in the midst of chaos. ·        Making sure you give frequent warnings that a change is going to happen.
Short attention span, he is easily distractible and may not be able to focus on a task.	·        Helping your child develop persistence and focus. ·        Providing a calm environment. ·       Showing him how to break down big tasks into smaller pieces.
High sensory sensitivity, he may have strong reactions to temperature, clothing, noise, or food.	·        Reading your child’s cues and adjusting the environment so he is comfortable. ·        Layering clothing. ·        Introducing new foods slowly and patiently. Some foods (or smells) may literally make him gag.
Low sensory sensitivity, he may not know (or care) about noise, smells, tastes, or how textures feel.	·        Making sure your child does not become overheated or too cold when playing, since he may not notice. ·        Checking his diaper, since he may not mind if it’s wet or dirty.
High adaptability	·        Setting limits and helping your child understand how to behave around new people and things. ·        Keeping safety in mind in new situation.
Low adaptability, he may not reach out or initiate playful situations.	·        Being the one to start the game. ·        Allowing time to adjust to new people. ·        Respecting that he sometimes prefers quit time.
High tolerance for frustration, he can focus on tasks and is likely to be more adventurous.	·        Allowing your child, the freedom to explore in safety. ·       Allowing time to adjust to new people.
Low tolerance for frustration, he may have little ability to manage distress and may become easily frustrated, irritated or aggressive.	·        Being a clam and patient caregiver. ·        Maintaining consistent limits, so your child can learn exactly what is expected. ·        Allowing your child time to adjust to new routines and break large tasks into smaller pieces. ·       Recognizing that irritability appears to be one of the key elements of “spirited” children.