Do you have a child you’ve been trying to keep up with ever since he or she could crawl? If your child has natural energy, loves to be on the go, and enjoys doing many activities, he or she may have an active temperament.
Knowing that your child has an active temperament can help you understand his or her behavior and personality. It can also help you build up your child’s strengths. Learn more about how to support a child who is active.
What is an Active Temperament?
Temperament is the innate way that we all approach the world and new situations. Generally, there are three temperament types: easy-going, slow-to-warm, and active.
A young child with an active temperament likes to move and explore rather than sit still. He or she also has a lot of energy and excitement, so he or she needs activities to stay engaged. In school, he or she prefers to play at the active learning centers instead of sitting for circle time.
If your child has a high activity level, that’s great! It’s important to remember that no temperament is better than another. It’s just a unique way to approach the world.
Related Post: If Your Child is Slow-to-Warm
How Can I Support My Active Child?
You may not be active like your child, and that is okay! Know the ways in which your temperament may influence how you react to his or her behavior. It may help you have more patience and understanding.
The important thing is to adjust your parenting approach to support your child. Here are some easy tips to help you accommodate an active temperament.
Provide Plenty of Active Playtime
Give your child plenty of time to be active! Take advantage of warm weather to get outside in the evening to walk, jump, and get out all of that energy. When the weather doesn’t cooperate, have some fun activities in your back pocket to keep your child engaged.
Similarly, you may need to include extra time in your routine. An active child may get distracted, so a strict routine can be hard to sustain. Wake up earlier on school days or start the bedtime routine earlier in the evening so you don’t have to rush. This extra time can better accommodate an active temperament.
Keep Activities on Hand
Always pack extra activities, especially when you have to go to places that require patience. That 10-minute wait at the doctor’s office can be long for a child with an active temperament.
Don’t forget about road trips! Your child will need plenty of activities to prevent boredom in the car. You may also want to incorporate a few stops along your trip to take a break from sitting still.
Choose the Right Environment
When possible, choose surroundings that fit your child’s temperament. For example, maybe you choose to go the park over the library, as the park is a better environment for an active child. Or, go to the park before you visit places that require lower activity levels.
You won’t always go to places where your child can move and play. In those instances, try to prepare your child for what’s to come. “We will have to sit and wait before we can see the doctor. I understand that you have to work extra hard to be patient, and I appreciate that you try so hard.”
Your child’s temperament is part of what makes him or her unique. Be sure to encourage it with positive language. Make adjustments to your parenting style when you can. This will go a long way in helping him or her to develop a healthy self-esteem.
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