What is a child's "temperament"? What does that term mean?

From the time a baby is born, certain behavioral patterns can be observed that will continue to be part of that child's behavioral style throughout her life.  These patterns are influenced, but not completely changed, by the responses of parents and other family members, caregivers, and friends.

Your child's inborn behavioral style will have a big effect on how she learns and interacts with her environment and with you.  Her style, which is also is called her temperamental style or temperament  may determine how easy or difficult she is to care for at different stages of her life.  If you recognize some of your own temperamental qualities in your child, it may be easier for you to understand her behavior.  However, if your child's temperamental style is one that clashes with yours, you may find it perplexing and difficult to understand why she acts the way she does.  No matter what your own temperamental style, a young child with certain temperamental qualities will seem easier or more difficult to manage at certain stages and in certain circumstances.  Whatever your child's temperamental style, understanding it will help you to understand your child and get along with her much better.

(These qualities of temperament were first described and studied by two researchers at New York University, Stella Chess, M.D., and Alexander Thomas, M.D., both professors of psychiatry.  Chess and Thomas observed differences among a large group of healthy, normal babies, and continued to observe these babies as they grew into children and adults.  Their observations spanned forty years, and they were able to show that a child's inborn temperamental differences were critical factors in determining the child's overall behavior.  The work of Chess and Thomas has been expanded upon by many researchers and clinicians who work with young children and their families.)

Below are the qualities of temperament that can be observed in young children.  You can "score" your child and notice whether their are qualities you'd like to reflect upon.  For even more information, try the online questionnaire at www.thepreventiveoz.com, a non profit site.

TEMPERAMENTAL QUALITIES

ACTIVITY LEVEL:  How active is your child during play, sleep, feeding, and dressing? Does s/he stay in one place or move about?

Low…………………………………………………………………………….,,,,,,High

REGULARITY:  How regular or predictable are your child's daily habits without your scheduling: are times of sleepiness, hunger, bowel movements predictable? 

Very regular…………………………………………................................Very irregular 

INITIAL RESPONSE TO NEW SITUATIONS:  What is your child's first response to a new person, place, object, or activity?

Eager………………………………………………………………………..Withdraws

ADAPTABILITY:  How quickly does your child adjust to changes afterthe first response?

Quickly……………………………………………………………………………Slowly

INTENSITY OF RESPONSE:  How strong is child’s expression of feelings, whether positive or negative?

Mild……………………………………………………………………………….Intense

MOOD:  What is your child's general mood throughout the day? Does s/he smile or frown?

Positive…………………………………………………………………………...Negative

PERSISTENCE/ATTENTION SPAN:  How long will your child continue with an activity that interests him/her? (Not TV)

Very short time…………………………………………………………..Very long time

DISTRACTIBILITY:  How easily can you distract your child from an activity of interest?

Easily……………………………………………………………………...With difficulty

THRESHOLD OF SENSITIVITY:  How sensitive is your child to sensations?

Not sensitive…………………………………………………………….Highly sensitive