Temperament — what is it and how to recognize it?

Children’s temperament manifests itself in the first moments of their lives. It is expressed primarily in the way and intensity of response to stimuli. Attentive observation and comprehension of the child’s temperament allow us to communicate, adjust the model of upbringing to their needs and abilities, while eventually, supporting their potential and harmonious development.

 

Although the spectrum of a young child’s behaviour seems to be quite limited, a certain regularity responding to stimuli, environment, discomfort or susceptibility to negative emotions can be observed at an early stage of development.

 

Temperament — what is it and how to recognize it?

According to the scientific definition, temperament is a biologically determined level of emotional and behavioural responses received to the signals. Speaking more directly, it defines a certain style of behaviour. This is the “axis” around which different personality traits unfold, as well as self-confidence, communicativeness or beliefs.

How to identify the temperament?

Children with easy temperament characteristics do not cause major problems for their caregivers, and those more difficult or sensitive require more patience and a rather specific approach for their parents.

What does temperament influence?

Temperament affects many areas of life. It determines how the child reacts to certain typical situations, among others:

• How much rest is needed, whether a child falls asleep easily and how quickly gets tired,
• How they react to changes and whether they are easy to adapt to them,
• How much energy child has and how prefers to use it,
• Whether is contactable or rather shy,
• Whether they often burst out or accept calmly that something doesn’t go according to their wishes.
• If a child can focus on one game/toy or is constantly looking for new impressions
• In what way perceives the world — whether they are trusting or rather fearful of it.

Toddlers with difficult temperament characteristics require more time to grasp their rhythm, become anxious easily and quickly express their dissatisfaction by crying out loud. They usually react badly to changes and find it difficult to accept them. They are rather nervous, react impulsively and cry more. It is easy to frighten them or overwhelm them with an excess of stimuli. Even a minor pain or temporary discomfort causes them to react strongly.

Children with an easier temperament type tend to be more patient, endure pain or discomfort milder and are easier to calm down. They are usually content, balanced and adjust quickly to changes. They feel comfortable almost everywhere, are not disturbed by noise or new surroundings, and therefore do not cause greater difficulties for their caregivers.

These differences are even more pronounced among slightly older children, which are already active — Some of them are unable to sit still and are hyperactive. Many acquire new stages of efficiency quickly, are communicative and feisty. Others tend to “hide in the shadows”, are easily discouraged by setbacks and seem to be shy, rather withdrawn. While we have no influence on the temperament and on what nature has “assigned” to our child, we have a great influence on his behaviour and how he will cope with difficult situations.

Temperament and upbringing constitute behaviour

The child’s behaviour is influenced not only by their temperament but also by their upbringing and environment. According to scientific research, natural predispositions can be corrected and talents developed. Parents have the power to awaken courage and self-confidence in a shy child with their approach. To tame and calm down the little rebel, to channel the energy or to improve the concentration of an overactive child.

The study in Denmark was aimed at monitoring the lives of over 1300 children in 11 years. It was found that some children who were described as having a difficult temper in their early childhood were doing very well over time. What did this depend on? The parents’ approach was crucial: support, respect and appropriate response to the child’s needs paid off in the future. As a result, “difficult” children achieved high academic results. Children who have not received such support had problems with discipline, learning or coping with school rules.

Therefore, instead of paying attention to difficult or problematic features, it is worthwhile to recognize your child’s potential and think about how to use it. Everything depends on what type of child we are dealing with.

Sensitive and feisty children

PhD Thomas Boyce professor of paediatrics and psychiatry, presents a very interesting approach to the issue of upbringing and has identified two groups of children during his research: “dandelions” and “orchids”. The children who belong to one group are very resilient, while the other are extremely sensitive, delicate and need a special approach to develop their potential.

According to the author of the popular book “The Child of Orchid or Dandelion”, most children are dandelions. They fit in any environment, cope better with problems and stress, make contacts easily and have a high threshold of resistance to pain or discomfort. They are enthusiastic and communicative and do not present major educational problems.

It is different with orchids. Such children are highly sensitive and constitute between fifteen and twenty percent of all kids. They are extremely susceptible to any stimuli. These children were born with an extremely sensitive nervous system, which makes them more vulnerable. They are disturbed by what an “ordinary” child would not notice. Different consistency of a meal, a barking dog, the noise of a vacuum cleaner, a scratching fabric or a tag on the dryer. The excessive number of stimuli makes oversensitive children irritated, distracted and tired. They have difficulties with calming down and falling asleep.

Whether this sensitivity becomes a problem or a possibility to use it will depend on the attitude of parents. The key to understanding an orchid-child is the ability to empathize with their situation. It is most important to accept and respect what our child is like. Support, do not try to change them. Don’t reprimand for “exaggerated” reactions. Trust that they feel what they really feel. Try to help them to calm down and relax. It seems easy, though… it’s not really that simple.

It’s worth seeing the value in the child’s high sensitivity. Parents who care about their child, are attentive to their needs, teach to recognize their emotions and cope with them — as a result, they prepare them to handle both their emotions and difficult situations. This allows the orchids to truly flourish.