Different temperaments and what care-givers can do to support the child

Easy/ Flexible temperament

As many as 40% of all Children fall into this group

Characteristics

Regular rhythms

Regular feeding and nap routines

Predictable

Positive
mood

Generally cheerful

Quick to adapt

New envirnonments

New people

New objects

Low intensity

React very mildly to negative
and positive situation

Doesn’t mean they
have no feelings

Their wish and needs are as great as any child’s

Need special attentions so that
so they don’t lost in the group

Caregiver checks in from time to time

Low sensitivity

Won’t be bothered by subtitle
stimuli, like sounds and textures

Sudden make a fuss and can be taken advantage of by other children

Fearful temperament

The slow to warm technique can be used in this temperament. Children need extra time to warm up and they need guidence to teach them slowly and step by step.

Trait children of this temperament would have : slow to adapt
withdrawals

Let’s look at the example given by the video Carla and her caregiver

Carala gets scared easily and uses her caregiver as her base for security. She immediately finds for her caregiver when new acitivity is introduced or when there is a lot of commotion at the play area. Her caregiver does not push her to do anything and rather starts to talk to her and calm her down in slow and warm manner. This is very important for children like Carla and she should not feel pressurised because that would make her situation become worse. Carala is resistant to do anything at the very beginning but after a small talk with her care giver, she is ready to explore the new activity and commotion. Her caregiver does not leave her after she warms up just in case to build up her confidence. She follows her untill she is comfortable and checks up on her every there and then .

Suggestions

Using goodness of fit — help children learn to adapt and function

For a difficult temperament child:

Remind the child of the pending change

Reduce frequency of changing space

Use redirection

For a easy temperament child:

Have constant checks as they have their needs as well

difficult temperament - feisty children

traits

distractable

sensitive

intense

irregular

active

moody

things can go really well or go out of hand

T17 Dawn Lee, Ofelia Lee, Thanushri, Gan Lui Xing