Individual Temperament Style

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The process of “Matching” Adult and Child Temperament

 

 

ACTIVITY LEVEL

 

In clinical practice the activity level of the child can be assessed by asking parents how much their child

moved about as a baby, whether the child was restful of fitful during sleep, (i.e. how much in disarray the

crib sheets or blankets might have been), and whether the child could be left lying on something

momentarily without fear that he/she would move around and fall.

 

 

                                                                                     ALMOST NEVER            SOMETIMES           ALMOST ALWAYS

 

My child has difficulty sitting still for                               0                                   1                                    2

reasonable periods of time.


My child squirms & wiggles at the dinner

table, while I am helping with homework,                       0                                   1                                   2

in the car, or at the movies.


At regular intervals my child need

physical activity as an outlet for excess energy.              0                                   1                                   2

 

My child prefers play that involves movement,

such as playing ball or running, to quiet play

such as coloring.                                                                     0                                   1                                  2

 

My child moves rapidly and likes to run

rather than walk.                                                                     0                                   1                                  2

 

Questions pertaining to ease of regulating are involved in determining the rhythm cycle of the child. Did

the child feed, have bowel movement, go to sleep at predictable times or was he/she highly variable?

 

RYTHMICY & REGULARITY

 

My child goes to sleep & awakens at the

same time each day.                                                                 0                                 1                                  2

 

My child gets hungry at about the same

time each day.                                                                            0                                 1                                  2

 

My child has a bowl moevement at about                              0                                 1                                  2
the same time each day

 

My child sleeps about the same number                               0                                  1                                 2
of hours each night.

 

My child eats about the same amount of                                0                                 1                                  2
food each day.

 

My child is sensitive to temperature & apt                             0                                  1                                  2
to complain that a room is to ohot or too cold,
or that food is not the right temperature.

 

My child cries easily when suffering a minor                         0                                   1                                  2
cut or bruise.

 

My child is sensitive to noise & apto to complain                   0                                   1                                   2
about loud music, bells or alarms.

 

My child complains when clothing is too tight,                       0                                   1                                    2
itchy, ill-fitting or if it beomces dirty or damp.

 

Positive/Negative Mood

 

Was the child mostly happy and contented or just hte opposite? How did parents know when the child was content or liked something and when the child disliked something?

 

My child laughs, smiles & seem sto be having                           0                                 1                                   2
a good time.

 

When my child is upset, it is easy to comfort                             0                                 1                                    2
the child.

 

My child takes losing a game in stride without                          0                                 1                                    2
getting upset.

 

My child avoids arguments or becoming                                    0                                 1                                     2
upset when not given own way.

 

My child tends to tell me about the good                                    0                                 1                                    2
thigs that happen, avoiding complaints & criticism.

 

Intensity of Reaction

 

Did the child react to pleasure or displeasure in a loud or quiet (e.g., if she did not want a particiular food, how would she behave?) Did gthe child whimper, cry or protest loudly, smile, coo or laught loudly to situations, peole, foods?

 

My child shows emotions with facial expressions,                     0                                1                                     2
body language or verbal intonations

 

It is obvious when my child is under stress                               0                                 1                                    2

 

My child gets enthusiastic & excigted when                               0                                 1                                    2
telling a story.

 

My child reacts immediately & vigorously when he                   0                                 1                                   2
feels rights have been violated.

 

My child reacts with enthusasm & excitement                            0                                 1                                   2
to special events, trips or visitors rather than taking
things "cooly".

Ask Dr. Susan