RICHIE MCFARLAND CHILDREN’S CENTER

11 Sandy Point Road

Stratham, NH  03885

(603) 778-8193

www.richiemcfarland.org

Temperament Traits: Part 2

 

This column is the second part in a two part series on temperament traits in children.

 

Personalities. Everybody has one, even the tiniest baby.  As children grow their personalities, or temperaments, become more obvious.  Understanding and adapting to your child's temperament will help them adapt to the world. 

 

Zero To Three defines five specific temperament traits and offers strategies for responding in a helpful and nurturing way.  These categories represent either end of the temperament spectrum, with most children falling somewhere in between. 

 

"Big Reactors" versus "Low Reactors"

 

Big Reactors have intense reactions to physical and emotional stimuli.  They tend to express their feelings loudly and physically by squealing, shouting, throwing, hitting or biting.  They may not be able to tolerate unpleasant smells or uncomfortable clothing. 

 

Keep the Big Reactor's environment mellow--soft lighting and music.  Offer hugs and rocking when he becomes distressed.  Try to anticipate potentially explosive situations by removing or redirecting him.  Most importantly, talk with your child about his feelings and let him know you understand when things are difficult for him.  This will help him to learn to take care of himself as he gets older. 

 

Low Reactors are quiet and tend to sleep a lot.  They rarely fuss and seem less demanding than other babies.  More effort can be required by the parents however, to attract and hold the Low Reactor's attention. 

 

Provide stimulation and engagement with Low Reactors by using a dramatic voice while reading. Play music with a dynamic beat and simply act silly and creative.  Engage in interactive games that involve taking turns and encourage physical activity such as dancing.  Pay attention to what interests your child and join in for those activities.

 

"Movers and Shakers" versus "Sitters"

 

Babies who squirm and roll around a lot are Movers and Shakers.  Toddlers who are always on the go--crawling, running and climbing--fall into the same category.  Movers and Shakers can be exhausting to keep up with. 

 

Offer your Mover and Shaker lots of opportunities for exploration in a childproof home and on the playground.  Try to limit time spent sitting, such as meal time.  Let your child help with simple household chores such as carrying spoons to the table and piling up clean socks. 

 

Sitters experience the world by watching and listening.  Although they are not as "up and about" as more physically active children, their interest in what they experience can be just as intense. 

 

Respect the Sitter's need to observe and take things slowly.  Provide lots of opportunities to play with favorite things.  Encourage games that can shift into physical activity, such as hide and seek ending in a chase or listening to music and getting up to dance. 

 

"Glad To Meet You" versus "Let's Take It Slow"

 

Children who engage easily with others by smiling, cooing and looking them in the eye are Glad To Meet You kids.  They eagerly approach new people, both adults and children.  They thrive on social interaction. 

 

Try to balance time spent with others with time alone for the social child. Although socializing is important in childhood development, equally as important is the ability for a child to be content by himself and not requiring the constant company of others to be happy. 

 

Let's Take It Slow children don't need lots of people around to be content.  They are able to play well on their own or with one or two familiar friends.  They may be described as shy and need to "warm up" to people they don't know. 

 

Try to prepare your Let's Take It Slow child for situations where they will encounter unfamiliar people such as a new child care center. You can make him more comfortable by explaining ahead of time what the place will look like and who he is likely to see.  Let others know that your child likes to take it slow and suggest that they approach him gently for the first time. 

 

"Let's Go" versus "Let's Stay Here"

 

Adaptable children take change in stride.  They are not bothered by new foods, changes in routine or people in their lives.  They can nap in unfamiliar places or dress in new clothes without a problem. 

 

Talk in advance to your Let's Go child about going to new places or meeting new people.  The anticipation can be as exciting as the actual experience. Pay attention to your easygoing child for signals that they may be struggling with a change, try not to take their adaptable nature for granted. 

 

Let's Stay Here children eventually manage to adjust to change but will struggle in the meantime.  Even a small shift in routine can cause a major response such as a temper tantrum.  They require lots of time and support to get comfortable in new surroundings or with new people. 

 

Routines and rest are important for children who are sensitive to change.  Manage transitions by talking about them before they happen and provide familiar objects such as a favorite toy to ease anxiety.  As children get older, offer choices about how to make transitions to give them a sense of control.

 

"Let's Try Again" versus "I'm Done"

 

Persistence and patience are qualities of the Let's Try Again child.  They don't give up easily when faced with a challenge.  They can rebuild a block tower that has fallen several times.  They are able to wait for a parent to finish a task before responding to them.

 

Because they play independently so well, Let's Try Again children can give the impression that they don't need many interactions.  Join in with your child's play.  There are many benefits to your interaction, for you and for your child.  Teach your child how to ask for help when they need it.

 

The I'm Done child is easily frustrated and has little patience.  Dealing with a fallen block tower or waiting for mom to come in from the other room can result in tears and screaming.

 

Talk your child through the waiting process by explaining what you are doing, such as the steps you take to make her dinner.  Be sympathetic to her struggles but offer suggestions for solutions without doing it for her.  Encourage breaks away from frustrating activities.  Most importantly, work on developing patience in yourself.

 

For more information on temperament traits, refer to the Zero To Three website at www.zerotothree.org or the Earlychildhood.com website at www.earlychildhood.com.

 

For a copy of last month's column which defined different types of temperaments and their role in childhood development, go to Seacoast Newspapers website at www.seacoastnewspapers.com or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to The Richie McFarland Children's Center, 11 Sandy Point Road, Stratham, NH 03885.

 

- Published by Seacoast Newspapers, 2002