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Did you know that there are five toddler temperaments? Here's the list. Which temperament is your toddler?
Angel Toddler - good as gold, very social, immediately comfortable in groups and most situations, develops language early and can clearly make her/his needs known. She can be distracted when she wants something she can't have and is easily calmed. At play, she can concentrate and can go with the flow.
Textbook Toddler - right on time developmentally, pleasant socially but can be shy with strangers, most comfortable in his/her own environment and needs time for transitioning to new surroundings, loves routines and knowing what to expect.
Touchy Toddler - sensitive, slow to adapt to new situations, likes order, hates interruptions, and likes to do things at her/his own pace.
Spirited Toddler - physically active, willful, prone to temper tantrums, social, curious, an adventurer, determined, can be a steam roller with great stamina! These toddlers have real leadership abilities.
Grumpy Toddler - angry, obstinate and wants things his/her way, independent, likes solitary play and may lack staying power to complete a task when frustrated.
These descriptions may sound very familiar to you. Share your descriptions and experiences with us.
Thanks!
Nancy
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Hi,
Yes, a mix is very common ... temperament is said to be inborn, however it can vary with the environment ... the types are not rigid but are helpful as a model and way of understanding kids. The important thing is to accept our children for who they are, rather than trying to change them.
Nancy
Hi,
Hmmm a mix of spirited and grumpy ... well, my advice would be to accentuate the positive ... give lots of leeway for moods but also lots of positive reinforcement for positive behavior. There's lots of energy beneath spirited so make sure to direct that and allow for its expression!
Nancy
Thanks Nancy, we think we're very lucky.
Of course, she's not yet 2 so all of that might change once she realizes that she has a choice about things! I think she's so delighted to have parents right now that everything seems great to her.
But, she has a great sense of humor, which will be an asset throughout her life. A kid whose first instinct is to laugh, instead of cry will be very fortunate.
Hi,
Sounds like you and your child know how fortunate you are to be together ... there is grace in that.
Yes, the two's can be challenging and you can expect to hear 'no!' but a sense of humor is so important and can smooth out the difficult times.
Keep in touch with us to let us know how you are doing! Thanks so much for your sharing.
Nancy
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My son is very definitely a "Spirited Toddler".. :) Sometimes I'm tempted to just sit on him, so I can have a little break..
He's now 2 y 3 mo old and if I compare how he was last year, there is a world of difference, he's become much more manageable..
When I think about it, he is full of mischief, but he doesn't get into "trouble", if I may use the term.. He doesn't do anything really that requires discipline.. He will listen once he heard "stop" a few times... (at varying degrees of intensity...)
And, there isn't a day when he doesn't make us laugh..
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I'd say my daughter, who was referred at 2 and came home just after turning 3, was between textbook and touchy. From all accounts, her three was MUCH worse than her two, and lots of my friends have experienced that with their kids too... So if you think you're having fun, now, just wait! :)
That said, turning 4 coupled with more secure attachment and a.m. preschool 4 days a week has taken us more to the realm of textbook-angelic preschooler. She can still pitch a fit with the best of them, but they're few, far between, and short-lived now.
Thanks.. :) Not a day goes by when I don't have a good laugh at the antics of my little guy.
His latest thing is this.. When I drive over speed bump (and my neighborhood has some VERY high ones), he pipes from his car-seat "CAREFUL Ima!! CAREFUL!!".. :::sigh::: a two-year old backseat driver...
Shai'sMom- believe me, those laughs will just get better and better! My 4-year-old has a way of appropriating adult expressions and delivering them in such a way that not a day goes by I don't get to have a good laugh, though one does have to be careful not to offend mademoiselle's delicate sensibilities (she went through a long phase of trying to forbid others to laugh in her presence). One of our favorites is one night she was in the shower and my husband opened the curtain to give her shampoo and she said most indignantly "how dare you! This is PRIVATE!" Her tone and expression, not to mention the words themselves, were enough that both of us nearly fell over!
Hi,
I can remember being a child, saying something and my parents laughing ... I felt I was being laughed at and was highly sensitive!
Parenting brings up so many emotions for us ... laughter helps us enjoy our children and brings a sense of balance to an often overwhelming task!
Thanks so much for these posts ... it is so enjoyable reading them!
Nancy
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We had a real laugh today. My sister was driving and we got stuck behind someone making a left turn. Well, the driver in front of us wasn't paying any attention to oncoming traffic. He was talking on the phone (which is illegal here) looking out the windows and just plain not paying attention. After about the 100th opportunity for him to turn passed, my sister of course starting yelling at him.
My son yells from the back seat "Calm down Karen, calm down!"
I was roaring.
