La. Admin. Code tit. 28 § CLIX-709

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section CLIX-709 - The Role of Temperament

A. One important concept in caring for young children is each child's temperament and the way a child's temperament affects how the child interacts with and relates to the world around him/her. Temperament refers to a child's "personal style." It influences the way in which he/she approaches and reacts to people and to different situations. Once caregivers understand a child's temperament, they can use this information to anticipate situations and issues before they occur.

B. Researchers suggest that children's temperament falls into three general categories:

1. easy/flexible. These children tend to be calm and happy. They are fairly flexible and adapt easily to new situations/people;

2. active/feisty. Active or feisty children often are more fussy and intense in their reactions. They tend to be more fearful of new situations and people, and can be easily upset by noise and stimulation;

3. cautious/slow to warm. These children tend to be fussy and less active. They may withdraw or react fearfully to new situations; however, if given time and support, "slow to warm" children will learn to adapt and adjust to the situation.

C. It is important for caregivers to remember that these are general categories, and not all children's temperaments will fall neatly into one of these three categories. Also, it is important to understand that temperament traits, like personality traits, may differ in terms of the level of intensity. For example, when a stranger comes into the room, one baby with a cautious/slow to warm temperament may become uneasy and look over at the caregiver for comfort, while another infant with the same temperament may begin to cry and let the caregiver know that he/she wants to be picked up.

D. Finally, it is important for caregivers to remember that children's basic temperament does not change over time. While environment and interactions with caregivers and parents can affect the intensity and expression of temperamental traits, these are fairly constant throughout the course of childhood. Therefore, when we think about the standards and indicators described in this domain, which we know are important areas in which children should show progress, we have to keep in mind that children may express their skills and knowledge differently, and that their temperament may affect how often and the intensity with which children respond.

La. Admin. Code tit. 28, § CLIX-709

Promulgated by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, LR 39:2475 (September 2013).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 17:6(A)(10).