Temperament among children can be defined as the way in which they react and approach to the universe. Basically, it is personal style and innate personality. Researchers state that indeed Temperament influences the behavior of a child and also the way they interact with others. It is the general pattern of how kids interact and react to an environment that has been present from birth. However, temperament does not quite predict or define behavior, however, when families and providers fully understand a child’s temperament, they are in a better position to understand ways in which young children relate and react to the environment and the world around them (Steinberg, 2010, p. 135). Subsequently, caregivers and parents are able to identify children’s support and strengths they require in their environments and relationships using temperament information. Therefore, Temperament influences the behavior of a child and also the way they interact with others.
Through profound research, researchers have described temperament for young children by illustrating a number of different traits. Ideally, these traits are keen to address an infant’s adaptability to daily routines, level of activity, their mood, level of activity, the intensity of their reactions, how quickly they adopt to changes , and their sensitivity to internal and external factors around them. Additionally, these traits also address how persistent and distractible the infants might be when they are engaging in various activities. Generally, based on these traits, kids are categorized into three major types of temperament;
Active or feisty; Children can be selective irregular sleeping and feeding habits, easily upset by stimulation and noise, fearful of new situations and people, and intense in their reactions.
Easy or flexible; ideally, most children tend to be happy, adaptable, regular in eating and sleeping habits, not easily upset and calm.
Slow to warm or cautious; children tend to be fussy, less active, and may react or withdraw negatively to new situations. However, after sometime, they seem to bear with the situation by becoming more positive with repeated exposure to a new situation, person, or object (Denby, 2013, p. 633).
Classifications about Temperament
Notably, not every child’s temperament falls into one of the three categories. Approximately 66% of kids can fall under one of the three types of temperaments, 39 % are flexible or easy, 11% are feisty or active, and 14% fall under the cautious or slow to warm category. Markedly, all temperamental traits that define personality range in intensity. However, kids with the same temperament type could respond in a different way throughout different stages or in similar situations in their development. For instance, take a scenario where two infants encounter a stranger in a room. After making eye contact, a cautious infant might look around for their parent or caregiver but later relax. On the other hand, the other baby with an easy temperament could show little reaction to the stranger or even smile.
It is therefore important to note that, though the basic temperament of a child does not change over time, the strength of temperamental traits can in one way or another be affected by parenting styles or cultural values. For instance, families that value persistence are likely to reward or praise a kid for being committed to their goal. Subsequently, parents who recognize the efforts of child, and encourage them to persist, help in strengthening the trait and they are more importunate over the course of childhood. Additionally, the temperament of a child can also be influenced by their interaction with the environment to some extent. It is worth noting that, adults cannot forcefully determine a child’s temperament. However a child’s interaction with the environment and temperament can movements.
Efforts to enhance temperament for the flexible or easy child, requires the parent or caregiver to often check with the child, and start up conversations about the child’s emotions. Some interventions can be used to develop the kid’s awareness and understanding of her own feelings, emotions, and reactions. The second step is letting them know that their preferences and feelings are validated and recognized.
For the active and feisty child, parents and caregivers should be prepared to be patient and flexible, because a kid that is lively can experience intense reactions and emotions. Opportunities and areas should be provided for the kids in order to engage them in active play and gross-motor, and make choices to increase high energy levels. Children who are feisty may need a serene environment to calm them. Additional support and preparation for new people or situations should be provided, because they become part of their environment. Notably, children in the three categories respond differently. As kids develop, grow, and learn to intermingle with others, their families, and the environment, there are high chances of temperate shifts to occur.
An infant’s temperament plays a major role in determining their socio-emotional development. All temperamental traits that define personality range in intensity. However, kids with the same temperament type could respond in a different way throughout different stages or in similar situations in their development. There are interventions that could be used to develop the kid’s awareness and understanding of her own feelings, emotions, and reactions. However, temperament does not quite predict or define behavior, however, when families and providers fully understand a child’s temperament, they are in a better position to understand ways in which young children relate and react to the environment and the world around them. Caregivers and parents are able to identify children’s support and strengths they require in their environments and relationships using temperament information. Therefore, temperament influences the behavior of a child and also the way they interact with others. Through profound research, researchers have described temperament for young children by illustrating a number of different traits including; active or feisty, easy or flexible, and slow to warm or cautious. Markedly, although the basic temperament of a child does not change over time, the strength of temperamental traits can in one way or another be affected by parenting styles or cultural values. For instance, families that value persistence are likely to reward or praise a kid for being committed to their goal (Scruggs, 2011, p. 222).
Conclusively, it is worth noting that, temperament influences the behavior of a child and also the way they interact with others. Temperament is personal style and innate personality. Researchers state that indeed Temperament influences the behavior of a child and also the way they interact with others. It is the general pattern of how kids interact and react to an environment that has been present from birth. Temperament does not quite predict or define behavior, however, when families and providers fully understand a child’s temperament, they are in a better position to understand ways in which young children relate and react to the environment and the world around them.
References
Steinberg, L. D. (2010). Life-span development. Belmont, Calif: Wadsworth.
Denby, R. W., & Curtis, C. M. (2013). African American children and families in child welfare: Cultural adaptation of services.
Scruggs, T. E., & Mastropieri, M. A. (2011). Assessment and intervention. Bingley: Emerald.
