The Foundation of Behavior: Understanding Temperament Karen Anthony, MA, LPC, IMH-E(II) Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant Tantrums and Meltdowns of Preschoolers: Understanding Temperament and Emotional Development It’s easy to monitor a preschooler’s physical development as he or she grows taller, bigger, and stronger. But how can you measure a child’s social and emotional development? By understanding temperament, care providers can work with the child rather than trying to change his or her inborn traits. Learn about the nine different temperament traits and how these traits combine to form three basic types of temperaments. What does social/emotional health look like? Activity…………… Mapping S/E milestones to Stages of Development What is TEMPERAMENT? Temperament is defined as: “constitutionally based individual differences in emotional and attentional reactivity and self-regulation, influenced over time by heredity and experience” Key Concepts of Temperament Researchers have identified nine temperamental traits. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Activity Level Biological Rhythms Adaptability Approach/Withdrawal Sensitivity Intensity of reaction Distractibility Quality of Mood Persistence Key Concepts of Temperament Easy or Flexible children make up 40%. Feisty or Difficult children make up 10%. Fearful or ‘Slow to Warm’ children make up 15%. 35% of children don’t fit in these three categories. Key Concepts of Temperament (continued) Temperamental traits represent a person’s natural tendency to respond and are fairly consistent throughout life. We learn behavioral techniques that help us moderate our ‘extreme’ temperamental traits. Consider the ADULT role when dealing with children Your Attitude Your Approach Your Expectations Basic Types of Temperament Fearful (Sometimes called slow-to-warm) Flexible Feisty Flexible Temperament • REGULAR RHYTHMS • POSITIVE MOOD • ADAPTABLE • LOW INTENSITY • CHECK IN REGULARLY • SET ASIDE SPECIAL TIME • LOW SENSITIVITY Developed by Janet Poole. © WestEd, The Program for Infant/Toddler Caregivers. This document may be reproduced for educational purposes. Fearful Temperament • SLOW TO ADAPT • WITHDRAWS • DRAW THE CHILD IN SLOWLY • ALLOW INDEPENDENCE TO UNFOLD Feisty Temperament • ACTIVE • SENSITIVE • INTENSE • IRREGULAR • DISTRACTIBLE • MOODY Feisty Temperament • USE REDIRECTION • BE FLEXIBLE • PREPARE THE CHILD FOR CHANGE • MAKE THE MOST OF QUIET MOMENTS • PROVIDE FOR VIGOROUS PLAY AND MOVEMENT Session Break Why is understanding temperament important? • Children get the message that it is ok to be who they are. • Helps caregivers to be more effective and responsive. • Helps to support “goodness of fit”. Goodness of Fit "A good fit occurs when the values and expectations of parents and other caregivers in the environment are in accord with the capacities and temperament of the child," writes Carey in Understanding Your Child's Temperament. Are Temperaments Traits “Good” or “Bad”? Artistic talents may come from the heightened awareness of the more sensitive child. Active children may channel their energy to excel in sports. Are Temperaments Traits “Good” or “Bad”? A child who is not easy to distract to move on to different activities may have no problem studying on the school bus, lunch cafeteria, or on the playground. Children who adapt slowly to parental expectations may be less influenced by adolescent peer pressure. What’s Your Style? Are you a TORTOISE? TORTOISE: (Slow to Warm) • • • • • • • Like to move ahead slowly and steadily. Don’t let others rush her. Find strength from pulling in her head. Has a strong protective shell. Doesn’t take unnecessary risks. Prefers life on an even keel without crisis. Paces herself, takes one thing at a time. Are you a HARE? HARE: (Feisty/Difficult) • • • • • • • Move with quick starts and stops. Produces well under pressure. Finds strength in exploration and challenge. Is fragile, agile and lucky. Enjoys risk and adventures. Hops from crisis to crisis, is easily distracted. Always has many irons in the fire. Are you a THOROUGHBRED? THOROUGHBRED: (Flexible) • • • • • • Grace of movement. Varies pace according to situation. Strengths comes from top-flight conditioning. Always under control. Thrives on competition and challenge. Has clear goals with milepost to mark progress along the way. • Always has something left for the stretch. Activity…………… Mapping Temperament Example of temperament chart completed by a classroom teacher: Understanding Temperament • Helps us reframe how we interpret children’s behavior and the way we think about the reasons for behaviors. • Temperament does not excuse a child’s unacceptable behavior, but it does provide direction to how you can respond to it. • When we understand children’s temperaments and our own it helps to work with the child rather than trying to change them. How is this information useful? Teachers and Parents can use temperament information to help them: • Organize the classroom and/or home environment • Understand a child's approach to learning • Manage behavior • Structure classroom lessons or homework • Communicate with parents/teachers • Help the child succeed academically QUALITY OF CARE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN “Quality of care ultimately boils down to the quality of the relationship between the child care provider and the child.” Shonkoff, J. P., & Phillips, D. A. (2000). From neurons to neighborhoods: The science of early childhood development. Ques%ons? Comments? Concerns? Thank you for coming! [email protected] 248-‐209-‐2366 desk
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