Understanding Your Child’s Temperament

As pediatricians in East Portland, we interact with so many amazing children every day. And every child that we see is unique, with their own individual personality, also known as temperament. This refers to your child’s emotional style and adaptability – basically, how they react to the world and new situations. As caregivers, it’s so important to learn about and better understand your child’s personality.

Understanding Temperament

While we’re influenced by our health, experiences and interactions with others and the environment, for the most part, our temperament is also an innate part of who we are. It’s not unusual for your child’s disposition to be similar or very different from your own, and children with the same parents may also have different traits.

By learning about the different traits and types, not only can you better understand your child and their uniqueness, but you can also avoid future misunderstandings and conflict.

TYPES OF TEMPERAMENT

Every child is a mixture of different traits – the main ones are listed below – and most tend to fall into one of three very broad types: easy, slow to warm up/shy and challenging/difficult.

Easy – These kids tend to respond to the world in a positive manner, are mildly to moderately intense and adapt easily to new schools and people. When encountering a frustrating situation, they usually do so with relatively little anxiety. About 40% of children fall into this category.
 
Slow to warm up or shy – These kids tend to adapt slowly to unfamiliar surroundings and people. They’re often hesitant and/or shy and tend to withdraw when encountering new people and circumstances. They may also have mildly intense moods.

Challenging or difficult – As a young child, they may be demanding or prone to temper tantrums. They may be stubborn and intense, and have trouble adapting to new situations. When kids have conflict-prone temperaments, they typically have more behavioral problems. Note: Our pediatricians can help you distinguish a challenging disposition from other problems, such as emotional and physical stresses.

TEMPERAMENT TRAITS

The following are eight of the most common characteristics that make up a child’s personality:

Regularity – Does your child eat, sleep and use the bathroom about the same time each day? If so, they have a regular pattern. If their patterns are naturally irregular, help your child follow a more consistent daily routine – but don’t force them to eat or sleep.

Activity pattern – Is your child always up and moving around, or do they tend to be calm and focused for long periods of time? A high energy child will probably need more physical activities to “burn off” energy, while one with a slower activity level needs extra time and support to complete their tasks.

Initial response – Your child’s first response to a new stimulus can tell you a lot about their temperament. Are they quick to join in a new game and participate, or more cautious? This includes meeting new people, trying new foods, visiting new places and changes in routines or other transitions.

Adaptability – How well does your child adjust to changes or a new situation? And how well can they regulate their reaction? Some kids just go with the flow, while others get upset when their favorite t-shirt isn’t available and they have to wear a different one.

Mood – Is your child generally happy? Do their words and behaviors tend to be positive or negative? For kids that struggle with negative moods, caregivers can adjust demands and encourage positive responses.

Intensity – This is the level with which your child responds to a situation, either positive or negative. While some children are calm and upbeat, others tend to fuss and complain.

Sensitivity – Think about how much stimulation it takes for your child to respond. How do they react in a busy environment? Some kids respond to the slightest thing, while others require intense amounts.

Attention span – Is your child able to concentrate or stay on task? For example, how readily can they be distracted from doing a task (such as their homework) by what’s going on in their environment?

What We Can Learn

As a caregiver, it’s important to understand your child’s personality and that their behavior is – to some degree, anyway – an innate pattern beyond their control. Knowing this will hopefully make it easier to be more patient and understanding with your child. It can also help you better nurture your child’s healthy behavioral development because you understand the challenges that they struggle with.

Have any questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out. For more information on understanding your child’s temperament, go here. The team at East Portland Pediatric Clinic is here to support you and your family.