WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TEMPERMENT

Wonder at the differences between one child and another? One big way we all differ involves temperament – a genetic given.

Thank you keithnicolas.files.wordpress.com for this.

Temperament varies from person to person and strongly influences how we relate to others. Temperament is combination of biologically determined traits. When trying to figure out someone’s temperament, the experts look at these nine traits:

1. Activity level
2. Regularity of bodily functions
3. Sensitivity to stimuli—what some call pain threshold
4. Response level
5. Approach to other people
6. Response to change
7. Ability to persist
8. Ability to stay focused
9. Mood

Think about your child  and figure out where s/he ranks in terms of these traits using the following ratings. Five is always the mid-point between the two extremes.

1. Low energy     1   2   3  4  5  6  7  8  9     High energy
2. Regular and predictable bodily functions   1   2   3  4  5  6  7  8  9    Irregular
3. Sensitive to stimuli   1   2   3  4  5  6  7  8  9    Not sensitive
4. Quiet reactor   1   2   3  4  5  6  7  8  9    Loud reactor
5. Cautious (Shy)       1   2   3  4  5  6  7  8  9    Bold
6.  Does not like change   1   2   3  4  5  6  7  8  9     Eager for change
7. Gives up easily    1   2   3  4  5  6  7  8  9    Doesn’t know when to quit
8. Easily distracted      1   2   3  4  5  6  7  8  9  Highly Focused
9. Sad or irritable most of the time       1   2   3  4  5  6  7  8  9   Mostly cheerful

This is just a way to give you a quick estimate of some of your child’s temperament traits and not at all evidenced based. Still many parents have found it helpful.

The experts see personality as a clustering of traits.

An easy-going personality would be someone who was a five or six in terms of energy; is regular in his or her bodily functions; the middle or above in terms of sensitivity, reactivity, approach to people; regarding change at a seven eight; as high as a nine in persistence and ability to stay focused: and finally, cheerful most of the time.

Challenging personalities generally fall into two types.  Some have low energy; are highly irregular in terms of bodily function; highly sensitive to stimuli; mixed reactors – meaning no outward reaction, but an occasional loud explosion; cautious; easily discouraged; gives up quickly, doen’t like change, and is often sad or irritable. These are often anxious children, need lots of support, and help learning to deal with life.

Some are the opposite in many ways—not sensitive; bold, and persistent. These are the children who are difficult to most difficult to control as they resist control. Some of these bold and persistent personalities are cheerful; some are sad or irritable.  The cheerful ones do better at life.

All children have strengths and weaknesses. Learning a child’s temperament helps you have more reasonable expectations.

Parenting tip

Figure out your temperament and how well yours fits with your child’s temperament..  Go back and apply the ratings to yourself and see how your ratings match or contradict your child’s ratings.  Also check out your child’s other parent’s temperament.

A bold, high activity parent or caregiver might find a shy and low energy child challenging.  A sensitive child, might become more fearful living with a bold, energetic parent or caregiver. Highly active children have a difficult time managing school.

Temperament Rating Scales help anyone caring for or about a child think more clearly about the child’s needs and how well his/her needs fit with an adult.  When we don’t understand temperament, we often feel the child is being difficult on purpose, then you are expecting him/her to control what s/he cannot control.

 LINKS OF INTEREST

• Temperament   (b-di.com/
• When Good Kids Do Bad Things (amazon.org)
• Emotional Intelligence  (en.wikipedia.org)

PRACTICE KINDNESS

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Thank you and work at staying strong until next time,. I work hard to do the same as life is often difficult but staying strong lets me find the good.

Katherine