As we mentioned in our last few posts, when we discuss each temperament and gain an understanding of how our children work, we can learn what triggers their bad behavior, and learn to manage the feelings that overwhelm them. Knowing a child’s temperament can help us engage our children’s cooperation in a way that truly takes their personality, their strengths and weaknesses into account. Instead of finding their tough behavior frustrating we can view their actions in more positive ways.<\/p>\n

We have already talked about the temperamental traits of introversion, extroversion, intensity, persistence, perceptiveness and adaptability. This post will highlight the temperamental trait of “Regularity.”<\/p>\n

REGULARITY
\n(Sheedy Kurcinka, 2006)<\/p>\n

These are the children or adults who have poor natural body rhythms and cues. They are up all night; they don\u2019t need so much sleep. They do not eat at regular meal times and never seem to have a predictable schedule. These children can grow up to be ER doctors, firefighters, nurses, or policemen. They are flexible and energetic.<\/p>\n

What triggers their bad behavior:
\n\u2022 Not enough sleep
\n\u2022 Lack of routines
\n\u2022 Being forced to eat or sleep<\/p>\n

Managing feelings:
\nGive them positive words to describe themselves, i.e., \u201cflexible,\u201d \u201cspontaneous,\u201d \u201cfull of surprises,\u201d \u201cgoing to love college life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Give them words to affirm their feelings:<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing forced to eat upsets you.\u201d
\n\u201cYou are not always hungry at mealtimes.\u201d
\n\u201cChoices are important to you.\u201d
\n\u201cYou have trouble falling asleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

To Engage Cooperation:
\n\u2022 Try to stick to a routine
\n\u2022 Don\u2019t force them. You can say, \u201cYou don\u2019t have to sleep, you can lie quietly and rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Problem Solving:
\n\u201cYou seem to have trouble going to sleep, can you think of some things that would help you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Encourage Independence:
\nParents can teach them to make their own snacks so they won\u2019t have to feed them at odd times.<\/p>\n

Praise:
\nChildren with this temperament will encounter many adults who are frustrated with them. Any positive feedback on their flexibility and energy would be helpful.<\/p>\n

Freeing Children from Negative Roles
\nThey need to be freed from the following negative roles:<\/p>\n

Wild\/Energetic
\nImpossible\/Independent<\/p>\n

Role Modeling:
\nMother to child: \u201cWhen I get excited, it\u2019s hard for me to sleep. I just try to stay calm and do quiet activities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stay tuned for our next post on the temperamental trait of “Energy.”<\/p>\n

References:
\nSheedy Kurcinka, M. (2003). Raising Your Spirited Child Workbook. NY. Harper Collins.
\nSheedy Kurcinka, M. (2006). Raising Your Spirited Child. NY. Harper Collins.
\nFaber, A., Mazlish, E. (1999). How To Talk So Kids Will Listen. NY: Harper Collins.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As we mentioned in our last few posts, when we discuss each temperament and gain an understanding of how our children work, we can learn what triggers their bad behavior, and learn to manage the feelings that overwhelm them. Knowing a child’s temperament can help us engage our children’s cooperation in a way that truly […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n