Spirited Child Quiz: Identify Your Strong-Willed Child's Personality

Which temperament characteristic refers to the degree of ease or difficulty with which a child adjusts to change or a new situation?

What term describes the energy level with which a child responds to a situation, whether positive or negative?

Which characteristic refers to the ability to concentrate or stay with a task, with or without distraction?

What does the term 'distractibility' refer to in the context of children's traits?

Which term describes the presence or absence of a regular pattern for basic physical functions such as appetite and sleep in children?

What aspect of temperament focuses on the positive or negative mood and degree of pleasantness or unfriendliness in children's words and behaviors?

The sensory threshold of a child reflects:

'Approach and withdrawal' in children relate to:

'Adaptability' in children is most closely associated with:

'Intensity' in children's traits primarily refers to:

Understanding Child Temperament

One in 10 toddlers is a strong-willed, challenging child, known as "spirited children."
Spirited children are more active, impatient, impulsive, defiant, intense, sensitive, and rigid.
Parents of spirited children need to keep them active, provide firm structure, and be patient.

Characteristics of Temperament

Activity level: the level of physical activity, motion, restlessness, or fidgety behavior.
Rhythmicity or regularity: the presence or absence of a regular pattern for basic physical functions.
Approach and withdrawal: the way a child responds to new stimuli, whether rapid and bold or slow and hesitant.
Adaptability: the degree of ease or difficulty with which a child adjusts to change or new situations.
Intensity: the energy level with which a child responds to a situation, whether positive or negative.
Mood: the mood, positive or negative, or degree of pleasantness or unfriendliness in a child's words and behaviors.
Attention span: the ability to concentrate or stay with a task, with or without distraction.
Distractibility: the ease with which a child can be distracted from a task by environmental stimuli.
Sensory threshold: the amount of stimulation required for a child to respond.

Impact of Temperament on Children and Parents

Every child has a unique pattern of the nine temperament characteristics.
Many children tend to fall into one of three broad categories: easy, slow to warm up or shy, or difficult or challenging.
Temperament affects how children adjust to their environment and interact with others.
Understanding a child's temperament can help parents appreciate their uniqueness and deal with problems of poor "fit" that may lead to misunderstandings and conflicts.

Learn about parenting a spirited child who is strong-willed, challenging, and more intense in their emotions and behaviors. Discover tips on keeping them active and providing firm structure to support their needs.