Children do not choose their temperamental blueprints. Temperament is born as part of your whole child.

Understanding your child’s temperament helps you respond better to him especially during challenges.

By understanding how your child interacts with the world, you are better able to accept your child and be relieved of unfair guilt regarding his behavior that is temperament-driven.

What is temperament?

The term temperament refers to the behavioral style or manner of the child. Temperament traits may be divided into three categories and occur in varying degree: 1) the easy child, 2) the slow-to-warm child, and 3) the spirited, more challenging child.

1. The temperamentally easy child is generally positive in mood and reaction to new stimuli, is fairly adaptable, mildly reactive and has regular biological functions. This child quickly develops regular sleeping and eating patterns, takes to new foods easily and smoothly makes transitions to new situations.
2. The temperamentally slow-to-warm child is more moderate in mood and reactions. Mainly, this child has slow adaptability and is often considered shy or cautious. This child can evoke frustration in unaware parents or teachers; however, when given enough time to adjust and adapt to new situations and changes without undue pressure, the slow-to-warm child can show quiet and positive interest and find safe ways to engage.
3. The temperamentally spirited or more challenging child is characterized by a combination of extremes in temperament, such as irregularity in biological functions, a strong withdrawal response to new stimuli, poor adaptability to change, a predominately negative mood, high levels and a high intensity of positive or negative response. It is important to remember that these traits are difficult for your child as well as for you.

Goodness-of-fit: accepting your and your child’s temperament traits

Parents may have a natural tendency to place greater value on certain temperament characteristics. Then, when parents’ expectations and a child’s temperament traits do not mesh, it can be difficult for both parent and child to accept one another.

A goodness-of-fit between a child and his parents occurs when his temperamental characteristics and capacities mesh well with his parents’ temperamental traits. Parents more easily embrace who their child is temperamentally. This good fit usually results in healthy emotional development and functioning. For parents whose temperaments differ from their child, acceptance may require more understanding and intentionality.

How you interact with your child is affected by your and your child’s temperaments. For example, highly active parents may not even be aware of the high activity level of their child. The goal is not to change the child’s temperament but to minimize stress and develop coping strategies for traits that are more challenging.

PARENTING ACTION STEPS

1. Know the characteristics of your child’s age and stage of development, using ADUMS and MRS PIES
2. Use the Observer Role and reframe as necessary
3. Strengthen your child’s Iceberg
4. Establish fair and appropriate expectations using your assessments.

Expert information from IPED

This information is brought to you by Lakeside Educational Network’s IPED Program. The Institute for Professional and Educational Development Program informs, equips and inspires educators, counselors, early childhood practitioners and human services professionals dealing with many difficult and complex issues each day.

Our exclusive curriculum, available directly from Lakeside’s IPED, is comprehensive in topics that promote emotional and relational health in children and families. Successful outcomes consistently occur as a result.

With more than 50 years of outstanding service through its many programs, Lakeside is proud to be an international advocate and resource for kids and families.

© All rights reserved, Diane Wagenhals, IPED, 2009.

If you would like to subscribe to our parenting tips, please follow us on Twitter at GerryatLakeside

If you’d like to learn more about our professional development training and CEUs, please complete the form below.

Understand Your Child’s Temperament to Help You Nurture and Discipline

By understanding how your child interacts with the world, you are better able to accept your child and be relieved of unfair guilt regarding his behavior that is temperament-driven.

Understanding your child’s temperament helps you respond better to him especially during challenges. Children do not choose their temperamental blueprints. Temperament is born as part of your whole child.

What is temperament?

The term temperament refers to the behavioral style or manner of the child. Temperament traits may be divided into three categories and occur in varying degree: 1) the easy child, 2) the slow-to-warm child, and 3) the spirited, more challenging child.

1. The temperamentally easy child is generally positive in mood and reaction to new stimuli, is fairly adaptable, mildly reactive and has regular biological functions. This child quickly develops regular sleeping and eating patterns, takes to new foods easily and smoothly makes transitions to new situations.

1. The temperamentally slow-to-warm child is more moderate in mood and reactions. Mainly, this child has slow adaptability and is often considered shy or cautious. This child can evoke frustration in unaware parents or teachers; however, when given enough time to adjust and adapt to new situations and changes without undue pressure, the slow-to-warm child can show quiet and positive interest and find safe ways to engage.

1. The temperamentally spirited or more challenging child is characterized by a combination of extremes in temperament, such as irregularity in biological functions, a strong withdrawal response to new stimuli, poor adaptability to change, a predominately negative mood, high levels and a high intensity of positive or negative response. It is important to remember that these traits are difficult for your child as well as for you.

Goodness-of-fit: accepting your and your child’s temperament traits

Parents may have a natural tendency to place greater value on certain temperament characteristics. Then, when parents’ expectations and a child’s temperament traits do not mesh, it can be difficult for both parent and child to accept one another.

A goodness-of-fit between a child and his parents occurs when his temperamental characteristics and capacities mesh well with his parents’ temperamental traits. Parents more easily embrace who their child is temperamentally. This good fit usually results in healthy emotional development and functioning. For parents whose temperaments differ from their child, acceptance may require more understanding and intentionality.

How you interact with your child is affected by your and your child’s temperaments. For example, highly active parents may not even be aware of the high activity level of their child. The goal is not to change the child’s temperament but to minimize stress and develop coping strategies for traits that are more challenging.

PARENTING ACTION STEPS

1. Know the characteristics of your child’s age and stage of development, using ADUMS and MRS PIES
2. Use the Observer Role and reframe as necessary
3. Strengthen your child’s Iceberg
4. Establish fair and appropriate expectations using your assessments.

Expert information from IPED

This information is brought to you by Lakeside Educational Network’s IPED Program. The Institute for Professional and Educational Development Program informs, equips and inspires educators, counselors, early childhood practitioners and human services professionals dealing with many difficult and complex issues each day.

Our exclusive curriculum, available directly from Lakeside’s IPED, is comprehensive in topics that promote emotional and relational health in children and families. Successful outcomes consistently occur as a result.

With more than 50 years of outstanding service through its many programs, Lakeside is proud to be an international advocate and resource for kids and families.

© All rights reserved, Diane Wagenhals, IPED, 2009.

If you would like to subscribe to our parenting tips, please follow us on Twitter at GerryatLakeside

If you’d like to learn more about our professional development training and CEUs, please complete the form below.

Understand Your Child’s Temperament to Help You Nurture and Discipline

By understanding how your child interacts with the world, you are better able to accept your child and be relieved of unfair guilt regarding his behavior that is temperament-driven.

Understanding your child’s temperament helps you respond better to him especially during challenges. Children do not choose their temperamental blueprints. Temperament is born as part of your whole child.

What is temperament?

The term temperament refers to the behavioral style or manner of the child. Temperament traits may be divided into three categories and occur in varying degree: 1) the easy child, 2) the slow-to-warm child, and 3) the spirited, more challenging child.

1. The temperamentally easy child is generally positive in mood and reaction to new stimuli, is fairly adaptable, mildly reactive and has regular biological functions. This child quickly develops regular sleeping and eating patterns, takes to new foods easily and smoothly makes transitions to new situations.

1. The temperamentally slow-to-warm child is more moderate in mood and reactions. Mainly, this child has slow adaptability and is often considered shy or cautious. This child can evoke frustration in unaware parents or teachers; however, when given enough time to adjust and adapt to new situations and changes without undue pressure, the slow-to-warm child can show quiet and positive interest and find safe ways to engage.

1. The temperamentally spirited or more challenging child is characterized by a combination of extremes in temperament, such as irregularity in biological functions, a strong withdrawal response to new stimuli, poor adaptability to change, a predominately negative mood, high levels and a high intensity of positive or negative response. It is important to remember that these traits are difficult for your child as well as for you.

Goodness-of-fit: accepting your and your child’s temperament traits

Parents may have a natural tendency to place greater value on certain temperament characteristics. Then, when parents’ expectations and a child’s temperament traits do not mesh, it can be difficult for both parent and child to accept one another.

A goodness-of-fit between a child and his parents occurs when his temperamental characteristics and capacities mesh well with his parents’ temperamental traits. Parents more easily embrace who their child is temperamentally. This good fit usually results in healthy emotional development and functioning. For parents whose temperaments differ from their child, acceptance may require more understanding and intentionality.

How you interact with your child is affected by your and your child’s temperaments. For example, highly active parents may not even be aware of the high activity level of their child. The goal is not to change the child’s temperament but to minimize stress and develop coping strategies for traits that are more challenging.

PARENTING ACTION STEPS

1. Know the characteristics of your child’s age and stage of development, using ADUMS and MRS PIES
2. Use the Observer Role and reframe as necessary
3. Strengthen your child’s Iceberg
4. Establish fair and appropriate expectations using your assessments.

Expert information from IPED

This information is brought to you by Lakeside Educational Network’s IPED Program. The Institute for Professional and Educational Development Program informs, equips and inspires educators, counselors, early childhood practitioners and human services professionals dealing with many difficult and complex issues each day.

Our exclusive curriculum, available directly from Lakeside’s IPED, is comprehensive in topics that promote emotional and relational health in children and families. Successful outcomes consistently occur as a result.

With more than 50 years of outstanding service through its many programs, Lakeside is proud to be an international advocate and resource for kids and families.

© All rights reserved, Diane Wagenhals, IPED, 2009.

If you would like to subscribe to our parenting tips, please follow us on Twitter at GerryatLakeside

If you’d like to learn more about our professional development training and CEUs, please complete the form below.