If you’re a parent, you know that every child is different. Some toddlers are reserved and shy while others are outgoing and outspoken. Some are calm and easy-going while others are active and always on the go. These differences are often chalked up to personality or temperament in toddlers.
Understanding your toddlers temperament can help you figure out how best to care for them and set expectations. It can also help you to avoid getting frustrated when your child doesn’t meet your expectations. Instead, you can adjust your expectations to match your child’s natural tendencies.
What is a toddlers temperament?
A child’s temperament is the way they respond to the world. It is their natural disposition or underlying personality. Temperament is thought to be mostly due to genetic factors, but it can also be influenced by the environment. How a parent responds to their child’s temperament can also affect it. Some children are easygoing and adaptable, while others are more active and sensitive. Some have regular sleep and eating patterns, while others vary more.
Children’s individual Temperaments can be an influential force in their lives, shaping how they handle emotions, regulate behaviour and feel around new people. In general, children who are more ‘easy going’ tend to have an easier time regulate their emotions and behaviour. They’re also more likely to be adaptable to new people and situations. On the other hand, children who are more ‘sensitive’ or ‘fearful’ may have a harder time coping with change. They may also be more tentative around new people. However, it’s important to remember that all children are different, and there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to be. Ultimately, each child will find their own way of navigating the world.
Ultimately, understanding and accepting your child’s temperament can lead to a better parent-child relationship. And while every child is different, there are three main types of temperament: easy, difficult, and slow-to-warm-up.
Easy Temperament
Children with an easy temperament are generally adaptable, flexible, and even-keeled. They’re quick to recover from setbacks and take everything in stride. They tend to be happy and content, even in new or chaotic situations. Easy going children make up 40% of the population.
How to adapt to a toddler with an an easy temperament?
• Try not to overreact to minor mishaps.
• Accept that some days will be easier than others.
• Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Difficult Temperament
Children with a difficult temperament are more sensitive, intense, and reactive than their easy going counterparts. They have a harder time adapting to change and may struggle with Separation Anxiety or stranger anxiety. They may also be more prone to tantrums or meltdowns. Difficult temperament children make up 10% of the population.
How to adapt to a toddler with an difficult temperament?
• Be patient and flexible.
• Try to avoid power struggles.
• Give your child choices when possible.
Slow-to-Warm-Up Temperament
Children with a slow-to-warm-up temperament are just as they sound—they take their time warming up to new people, places, and things. They tend to be shy or reserved in new situations and may need some time to adjust before feeling comfortable. Slow-to-warm-up children make up 15% of the population.
How to adapt to a toddler with an slow-to-warm up temperament?
• Give your child time to warm up to new people and situations.
• Don’t force your child into activities they’re not comfortable with.
• Be patient and understanding.
Questions and answers temperament in toddlers
How can I help my temperamental toddler?
There are a few things you can do to help your temperamental toddler:
• Be patient and understanding.
• Try to avoid power struggles.
• Give your child choices when possible.
• Don’t force your child into activities they’re not comfortable with.
• Give your child time to warm up to new people and situations.
• Don’t overreact to minor mishaps.
How do you handle a difficult toddler?
The best way to handle a difficult toddler is to be patient, understanding, and flexible. Try to avoid power struggles, and give your child choices when possible. Don’t force your child into activities they’re not comfortable with, and give them time to warm up to new people and situations. Finally, don’t overreact to minor mishaps.
What is a slow to warm up temperament?
A slow to warm up temperament means that a child takes their time warming up to new people, places, and things. They may be shy or reserved in new situations and need some time to adjust before feeling comfortable. Slow-to-warm-up children make up 15% of the population.
How can I tell if my toddler has a difficult temperament?
There are a few signs that your toddler might have a difficult temperament:
• They have a harder time adapting to change.
• They may struggle with separation anxiety or stranger anxiety.
• They may be more prone to tantrums or meltdowns.
• They may be more sensitive, intense, and reactive than other children their age.
If you notice any of these signs in your toddler, it’s a good idea to speak with your child’s doctor
Can you change a child’s temperament?
It is believed that temperament is mostly genetic, so it is not something that can be changed. However, there are things that can be done to help a child cope with their temperament and make it easier for them to adjust to new situations. For example, if your child has a difficult temperament, you can try to avoid power struggles and give them choices when possible. If your child has a slow-to-warm-up temperament, you can give them time to warm up to new people and situations.
How do you discipline a toddler that doesn’t listen?
There are a few things you can do to discipline a toddler that doesn’t listen:
• Be clear and concise when giving directions.
• Give your child a short amount of time to comply with your request.
• Use positive reinforcement when your child does what you ask.
• Be consistent with your expectations and your discipline.
• Avoid power struggles.
• Try to stay calm and avoid yelling.
How do I deal with my toddler’s bad behavior?
There are a few things you can do to deal with your toddler’s bad behavior:
• Be clear and consistent with your expectations.
• Use positive reinforcement when your child behaves well.
• Ignore minor misbehavior.
• Try to stay calm and avoid yelling.
• Avoid power struggles.
• Discipline appropriately for the child’s age.
What is abnormal toddler behavior?
There is no such thing as “abnormal” toddler behavior, since all toddlers behave differently. Some common toddler behaviors that may be considered abnormal include:
• tantrums
• not listening
• hitting
• biting
• kicking
• whining
If you’re concerned about your toddler’s behavior, the best thing to do is speak with your child’s doctor.
Do difficult toddlers get easier?
Most children will eventually outgrow their difficult temperament, but it may take some time. In the meantime, there are things you can do to make life easier for both you and your child. Try to avoid power struggles, give your child choices when possible, and don’t force them into activities they’re not comfortable with. Give your child time to warm up to new people and situations, and don’t overreact to minor mishaps. With patience and understanding, your toddler will eventually become less difficult.
What causes child temperament?
It is believed that temperament is mostly genetic, so it is not something that can be changed. However, there are things that can be done to help a child cope with their temperament and make it easier for them to adjust to new situations. For example, if your child has a difficult temperament, you can try to avoid power struggles and give them choices when possible. If your child has a slow-to-warm-up temperament, you can give them time to warm up to new people and situations.
What causes difficult temperament?
There is not one specific cause of difficult temperament. Most experts believe that temperament is mainly genetic, so it cannot be altered. However, there are things parents can do to help their children cope with their temperament and make it easier for them to adjust to new situations. For example, if your child has a difficult temperament, you should try to avoid power struggles and give them choices when possible. If your child has a slow-to-warm-up personality type, then you should give them time to warm up gradually to new people and situations instead of thrusting them into the unknown all at once.
What is an easy child temperament?
There is no one specific definition for an “easy” child temperament, but it generally refers to a child who is more adaptable and easygoing than other children. Easygoing children are typically less likely to have tantrums or meltdowns, and they may be more adaptable to new situations and people. If you have an easygoing child, you may find that parenting is a bit easier than it is for other parents.
• Be clear and concise when giving directions.
• Give your child a short amount of time to comply with your request.
• Use positive reinforcement when your child does what you ask.
• Be consistent with your expectations and your discipline.
• Avoid power struggles.
• Try to stay calm and avoid yelling.
How do I deal with my toddler’s bad behavior?
• Be clear and consistent with your expectations.
• Use positive reinforcement when your child behaves well.
• Ignore minor misbehavior.
• Try to stay calm and avoid yelling.
• Avoid power struggles.
• Discipline appropriately for the child’s age.
What is abnormal toddler behavior?
Conclusion
Parenting is a challenging yet rewarding endeavor. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting, there are certain strategies that can be adapted to suit the individual needs of each child. For example, children who are shy and introverted may benefit from a gentle, supportive parenting style that encourages them to come out of their shells at their own pace.
In contrast, toddlers who are active and outgoing may do well with a more structured approach that helps them to channel their energy in positive ways. By taking the time to understand each child’s unique temperament, parents can help to nurture their development in a way that is tailored specifically to their needs.
No matter what type of temperament your child has, remember that it’s simply how they’re wired—it’s not something you can change or influence. The important thing is to learn how to work with your toddlers temperament so you can better understand their needs and help them thrive.
