It is important to understand your child's temperament

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Parents know that a child from an early age clearly shows personality traits. Even brothers and sisters have different preferences, are more or less active, react differently to external stimuli, etc. In a word, they have individual characteristics from an early age.

Source 1 Source 2Parents also know that different children need different methods of education and training, which correspond to the types of their temperament.

What is temperament?

Temperament is a combination of factors that determine the characteristics of the child. Temperament and character are not the same, although these concepts are interrelated.

Temperament can emphasize character traits, but it has a biological nature. Although in our time it is widely believed that education and circumstances shape a person, one must not forget the genetic predisposition to certain characteristics.

A child has a temperament from birth, but up to four months, when a child starts doing physical activity, it is very difficult to determine the temperament traits.

How to determine the temperament?

It is important to know certain characteristics to determine your child's temperament.

Characteristics of the temperament:

Source❂ threshold of reactivity: the level of stimulation necessary to trigger a child's reaction;
❂ activity: the level of motor activity and the proportion of sleep and wake periods;
❂ intensity of reactions: the intensity with which the child expresses happiness, anger, sadness and other emotions;
❂ rhythm: how predictable are the child's bodily functions (appetite, sleep, etc.);
❂ adaptability: the ease with which the child adapts to the change;
❂ state of mind: to what state of mind the child is initially inclined (happy, serious, etc.);
❂ focus / distance: how the child reacts to new places and situations;
❂ perseverance: how well the child can overcome adverse circumstances;
❂ distraction: how well the child can concentrate and how easily he is distracted.

Based on these characteristics, scientists have identified three models of temperament:

❂ easy: the child can adapt to the circumstances, usually in a good mood;
❂ moderate: the child is moderately active and interested in new things;
❂ Complicated: the child is usually in a bad mood, has difficulty adapting to new circumstances, is inclined to behave strangely in a new environment, shy. At the same time, you can adapt if you have enough time for that.

Why is it important to know the child's particular temperament?

By knowing the child's temperament, parents can know in advance how easy it will be to educate, how active it will be, etc. This is very important for parents. As soon as we determine the child's temperament, we will understand how to create for him the best conditions for growth and development. If the child's environment corresponds to his temperament, this creates prerequisites for the healthy development of his psyche.

It is not enough for parents to say: "Our child is what he is, and nothing can be done for his behavior." The characteristics of his temperament will tell you the best way to train him, educate him, motivate him and understand him. In other words, temperament is the key to understanding a child's personality.

For example, if parents know that a child does not adapt well to the new conditions, they may give more time. It is necessary to encourage the new activities of such a child, but not to force him to do something. You must allow the child to develop at your own pace.

If the parents do not take into account the child's temperament, he may experience severe stress. For example, it will be difficult for an overly active child to sit at home doing something for hours.

Knowledge of the child's temperament can be useful for teachers. Active children can not achieve success in learning, if they do not have the opportunity to release energy. A shy child should be encouraged to communicate with his peers and not become autonomous.

Not knowing your child's temperament can bring harm.

Parents may be tempted to label children according to their temperament (for example, using phrases like "my child is shy, too active", etc.), but it is better not to do so. Such phrases can affect how others perceive the child.

From this can suffer their self-esteem and problems in the process of their development. For example, calling a child "difficult" can cause bad behavior.

Instead of labeling the child, try to create an atmosphere for him at home that best fits his characteristics.

When you begin to take into account the particular temperaments of children, you may find that you treat them differently. However, this deficiency can be corrected by meeting the needs of each child.

Often, parents are concerned that by creating a child an environment that matches their temperament, they can spoil it. However, an understanding of the shortcomings of a child's temperament can also be used to be softer with a child at times and, on the contrary, to set strict limits for him at times.

If a child shows bad behavior, do not think that this is your natural inclination. Most of the time, the bad behavior is due to the fact that the child's environment does not match his temperament. Like adults, children who are forced to act against their nature may exhibit unacceptable behavior.

Finally, one must distinguish between temperament and other causes of bad behavior. For example, a child may behave badly due to chronic diseases or developmental delays, and not because of temperament.

Understanding temperament promotes child development.

SourceIf adults are different from each other, then it is obvious that children are equally different. We are all motivated by different things, we have a positive attitude towards different things, but more often we do not ask ourselves why this happens.

"Understanding the child's temperament allows us to see a personality in him and learn to respect his traits.When we understand this, we can create a favorable environment for the child's growth and development."

http://www.enciclopedia-infantes.com/temperamento/segun-los-expertos/el-temperamento-y-su-impacto-en-el-desarrollo-infantil-comentarios
http://extensiononline.tamu.edu/online_course_material/Course230/file/understandinginfanttoddlersp.pdf

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Posted from my blog with SteemPress : http://roseri.vornix.blog/2019/05/09/it-is-important-to-understand-your-childs-temperament/

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