Those with easy adaptive temperaments handle change easily, they adapt to change more easily than those with less adaptive temperaments
Your child’s temperament might be different from yours. Some parents and teachers find that it’s easier to understand a child whose temperament is similar to theirs. For example, if you have an easy adaptive temperament you deal differently compared to a child or students who has a less adaptive temperament. It might be more challenging for you to understand a child who has more predictability, you might find it easy to care for a baby who needs regular sleep. But if you like being able to do things whenever you want, it might take you a while to get used to your child’s liking for routine.
The following information has been provided by: https://raisingchildren.net.au/newborns/behaviour/understanding-behaviour/temperament#temperament-what-is-it-nav-title
The information was written for parents, but I took the liberty to add teachers to this information. The information provided is important for all adults who work with children. Understanding the role that a child’s temperament plays in their reactions to changes supports adults in guiding the child without harming their self-image. For example, one day I told my class “It’s a beautiful day outside, let's take a walk around campus.” Some of the students gleefully jumped out of their chairs, excited to leave the classroom. While others began kvetching and complaining. I heard every excuse, “If I knew we had to walk I would have worn different shoes,” or "Can we stay in the classroom if we don’t feel like walking?” I did not see the students as being difficult or trying to engage in a power play because I knew in advance that temperaments would come into play with an unexpected change to the routine. I said, if you want to join us and enjoy a walk you can, if you don’t you are free to stay behind.
Key points
- Temperament is the way children respond to the world.
- Temperament influences the way children handle emotions, regulate behavior, feel around new people and adapt to new situations.
- You can nurture children’s development using parenting strategies that suit their temperaments.
Temperament: What is it?
Temperament is the way children respond to the world.
You can think about your child’s temperament in terms of how much or how little they show of these qualities:
- Reactivity – this is how strongly children react to things like exciting events or not getting their own way. Reactive children tend to feel things strongly.
- Self-regulation – this is how much children can control their behavior, including the way they show their feelings. It’s also about how much children can control their attention and how persistent they are.
- Sociability – this is how comfortable children are when they meet new people.
- Adaptability – this is how quickly children can adjust to new situations or changes in their environment.
Children are born with their own temperaments, and you’ve probably been able to describe your child’s temperament since they were a baby. For example, ‘Jade is very easygoing’ or ‘Luca likes routines’.
Differences in temperament explain why your children might be quite different from one another. For example, your children might be more or less reactive, more or less self-regulated, more or less sociable, or more or less adaptable.
Adapting your teaching or parenting for the child’s temperament
You can’t change your child’s temperament. Your child is who they are, and that’s great. But you can nurture your child’s development by adapting your parenting to your child’s temperament. You can help your child develop the positive parts of their temperament. You can also understand the situations that your child might find hard because of their temperament, and you can help them learn how to handle these situations.
Teaching or Parenting more and less reactive temperaments
More reactive
If you have a very reactive child, your child is probably loud and energetic when something good happens. But your child might also be loud and dramatic when they’re unhappy about something, like not getting their own way. You might need to help your child learn how to respond more calmly – for example, by relaxing and using words for angry feelings.
Reactive children are often also very physically active and might need a lot of time outdoors. You can help your child develop by encouraging them to try new sporting activities, for example. But your child might also need help winding down, so bedtime relaxation can be a good idea.
Less reactive
A less reactive child is usually easy to get along with because they seem quiet and calm, but they might be less assertive. You might need to help your child learn how to stand up for themselves. For example, if you notice your child has trouble asking for a turn on the slide, you could role-play handling the situation differently.
It’s also important to make sure less reactive children aren’t left out of family discussions. For example, Harper, you haven’t said much. Are you happy with that choice of movie?’
Children who are less reactive might also be less physically active. Your less active child will be happiest with plenty of opportunities to use their fine motor skills, like doing craft or drawing. But you might need to encourage physical activity. Try a trip to the park to collect leaves for a collage, for example. Or make sure you walk to the library if you can, instead of driving.
Teaching or Parenting more and less self-regulated temperaments
More self-regulated
Children who find it easier to self-regulate are good at staying calm when they feel emotions like frustration or excitement. They can calm down faster after something exciting or upsetting, and they’re likely to be less impulsive.
A child who’s very self-regulated might also be more able to manage their attention. For example, they might be likely to keep going with something until it’s right. They might also be good at coping with setbacks and able to get through tasks like homework without much supervision. But they might be a bit of a perfectionist, so make sure they know that it’s OK to make mistakes.
Less self-regulated
If your child has difficulty regulating their attention, they’ll need a lot of encouragement to keep going at difficult tasks. These children might switch easily from one activity to another. They can also be very creative. To help your child focus, you can try rewarding your child or making things fun by using games and creative activities.
Teaching or Parenting more and less sociable temperaments
More sociable
If your child is very sociable, they’ll like being around other people, having playdates and doing group activities. But you don’t have to organize playdates and activities for your child all the time, because it’s also important for your child to learn to occupy themselves.
Less sociable
If your child isn’t very sociable, they’re probably quite good at playing by themselves and might not need much help finding something to do. But you might need to help your child with making friends. If your child isn’t comfortable in groups or at parties, for example, you could try asking just one friend for a playdate at your house or the park.
Teaching and Parenting more and less adaptable temperaments
More adaptable
If your child is more adaptable, they can probably cope with changes easily. For example, they won’t mind new environments or situations. It’s great if you can give your adaptable child a lot of new experiences, but make sure your child still gets one-on-one time with you.
Less adaptable
If your child isn’t very adaptable, they’ll like having a routine. Also, they might take time to warm up to changing situations and not enjoy surprises. This can make it easy for you to plan things around your child’s routine, but your child might also need help
Key points
- It can be hard for children to change activities. Challenging behavior can happen in these situations.
- Classroom and Family routines are a top positive behavior strategy for managing transitions.
- Other positive behavior strategies include timing, choices and a calm approach.
How temperament can change
You might see some changes in your child’s temperament as your child becomes more mature. This happens as your child’s experiences affect the way your child behaves in different situations.
For example, a child who used to be very distracted at school might become an adult who can concentrate well in business meetings. This might be because they’ve developed strategies to manage their distraction as they’ve matured.