1. Discovery and Adventurer Family Network Presents How Children Differ: Temperament & Personality

2. “Every child brought into the world increases the responsibility of the parents.... Their dispositions, their tendencies, their traits of character are to be studied. Very carefully should the discriminating powers of the parents be educated, that they may be enabled to repress the wrong tendencies and encourage right impressions and correct principles. Violence or harshness is not required in this work. Self-control must be cultivated and leave its impression on the mind and heart of the child.” Child Guidance, p. 205

3. What Is Temperament? A Set of Inborn Traits A Set of Inborn Traits It Does Not Dictate What You Do It Does Not Dictate What You Do It Influences How You Do It It Influences How You Do It It Can Be Directed Positively or Negatively It Can Be Directed Positively or Negatively

4. The Nine Temperament Traits Activity Level On the go...... Or Sedentary?

5. The Nine Temperament Traits Distractibilit y Distracted or Attentive?

6. The Nine Temperament TraitsIntensity Intense...... Or Calm?

7. The Nine Temperament TraitsRegularity Predictable...... Or Unpredictable?

8. The Nine Temperament Traits Sensory Threshold

9. The Nine Temperament Traits Approach/Withdra wal Extrovert...... Introvert?

10. The Nine Temperament TraitsAdaptability Easily Adaptable...... Or Slow to Adapt?

11. The Nine Temperament TraitsPersistence

12. Mood Half Full...... Or Half Empty?

13. The 3 Basic Types of Temperament Easy – Tranquil, Calm, Consistently Easy to Comfort Easy – Tranquil, Calm, Consistently Easy to Comfort Difficult – Fussy, Hard to Satisfy & Comfort, Anxious Difficult – Fussy, Hard to Satisfy & Comfort, Anxious Slow to Warm Up – Timid, Reluctant, Wary of New Experiences Slow to Warm Up – Timid, Reluctant, Wary of New Experiences 40% 10% 15%

14. What Is Personality? Combination of Nature & Nurture Combination of Nature & Nurture Developed Over Time Developed Over Time Foundation for Character Development Foundation for Character Development Influenced by Many Factors Influenced by Many Factors Birth Order, Family Size, Life Events, Serious Ilnesses, Deaths, Family Moves, Economic Status, Gender, Inteligence, Age, Health, Parenting Birth Order, Family Size, Life Events, Serious Ilnesses, Deaths, Family Moves, Economic Status, Gender, Inteligence, Age, Health, Parenting

15. The 5 Factor Model of Personality OCEANORCANOE

16. The 5 Factor Model of Personality Openness I have a rich vocabulary.I have a rich vocabulary. I have a vivid imagination.I have a vivid imagination. I have excellent ideas.I have excellent ideas. I spend time reflecting on things.I spend time reflecting on things. I use difficult words.I use difficult words. I am not interested in abstractions. (reversed)I am not interested in abstractions. (reversed) I do not have a good imagination. (reversed)I do not have a good imagination. (reversed) I have difficulty understanding abstract ideas. (reversed)I have difficulty understanding abstract ideas. (reversed)

17. The 5 Factor Model of Personality Conscientiousness I am always prepared.I am always prepared. I am exacting in my work.I am exacting in my work. I follow a schedule.I follow a schedule. I get chores done right away.I get chores done right away. I like order.I like order. I pay attention to details.I pay attention to details. I leave my belongings around. (reversed)I leave my belongings around. (reversed) I make a mess of things. (reversed)I make a mess of things. (reversed) I often forget to put things back in their proper place. (reversed)I often forget to put things back in their proper place. (reversed) I shirk my duties. (reversed)I shirk my duties. (reversed)

18. The 5 Factor Model of Personality Extroversion I am the life of the party.I am the life of the party. I don't mind being the center of attention.I don't mind being the center of attention. I feel comfortable around people.I feel comfortable around people. I start conversations.I start conversations. I talk to a lot of different people at parties.I talk to a lot of different people at parties. I am quiet around strangers. (reversed)I am quiet around strangers. (reversed) I don't like to draw attention to myself. (reversed)I don't like to draw attention to myself. (reversed) I don't talk a lot. (reversed)I don't talk a lot. (reversed) I have little to say. (reversed)I have little to say. (reversed)

19. The 5 Factor Model of Personality Agreeableness I am interested in people.I am interested in people. I feel others’ emotions.I feel others’ emotions. I have a soft heart.I have a soft heart. I make people feel at ease.I make people feel at ease. I sympathize with others’ feelings.I sympathize with others’ feelings. I take time out for others.I take time out for others. I am not interested in other people’s problems. (reversed)I am not interested in other people’s problems. (reversed) I am not really interested in others. (reversed)I am not really interested in others. (reversed) I feel little concern for others. (reversed)I feel little concern for others. (reversed) I insult people. (reversed)I insult people. (reversed) I like being isolated. (reversed)I like being isolated. (reversed)

20. The 5 Factor Model of Personality Neuroticism I am easily disturbed.I am easily disturbed. I change my mood a lot.I change my mood a lot. I get irritated easily.I get irritated easily. I get stressed out easily.I get stressed out easily. I get upset easily.I get upset easily. I have frequent mood swings.I have frequent mood swings. I often feel blue.I often feel blue. I worry about things.I worry about things. I am relaxed most of the time. (reversed)I am relaxed most of the time. (reversed) I seldom feel blue. (reversed)I seldom feel blue. (reversed)

21. Realistic Expectations Differentiate Childish Behavior from Challenging Temperament Differentiate Childish Behavior from Challenging Temperament Differentiate Tired Irritability from Negative Behavior Traits Differentiate Tired Irritability from Negative Behavior Traits Make sure you are not the problem by the way you react Make sure you are not the problem by the way you react Don’t discourage seemingly difficult temperament traits They may prove valuable in adult life (persistence) Don’t discourage seemingly difficult temperament traits They may prove valuable in adult life (persistence)

22. Avoiding Labels “Four Eyes” “Book Worm” “Bully” “Class Clown”

23. Making Adjustments At Home...... Or Away

24. Coping with Your Child’s Personality Coping with Your Child’s Personality Parenting Strategies For Very Intense Children: Provide activities that are soothing. Recognize cues that signal that intensity is rising. Help child learn to recognize cues that signal that intensity is rising. Use humor to diffuse intensity. Teach child to use time-out as a time to calm self-down. Avoid escalating intensity of child by reacting intensely. Give calm, clear, brief feedback.

25. Coping with Your Child’s Personality Coping with Your Child’s Personality Parenting Strategies for Slow-to-Adapt Children: Establish clear routines. Prepare child by discussing plans for the day when routine changes. Prepare child for transitions. Give warnings a few minutes before transition between activities. Allow time for closure of one activity before going on to next. Stay aware of number of transitions required. Keep transitions to minimum if possible.

26. Coping with Your Child’s Personality Things to Remember Become a Manager of Your Child’s Temperament Become a Manager of Your Child’s Temperament Prepare by Pre-planning Prepare by Pre-planning Learn to Distinguish Between Temperament and Learned Behavior Learn to Distinguish Between Temperament and Learned Behavior Help Your Child Understand Their Temperament Help Your Child Understand Their Temperament Teach Your Child that He/She is Precious to God Teach Your Child that He/She is Precious to God

27. A Final Thought “Everything leaves its impress upon their minds - - the countenances they look upon, the voices they hear, the places they visit, the company they keep, and the books they read. It is impossible to overestimate the importance for this world and the next of the associations we choose for ourselves and, more especially, for our children.” Adventist Home, p. 459