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Temperament: Becoming Aware and Respectful
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For the most part, temperament (an individual's unique behavioral and emotional style) is an innate quality of the child, one with which he is born - making each child different from birth. Research has shown that the ease with which a child adjusts to his environment is influenced by his temperament.
Temperament is responsible for a great deal of behavior. For example, some babies are born with very sensitive bodies. They are more sensitive to pain, clothing textures, flavors of different foods, and temperatures. Some children are very persistent from birth. They keep trying things over and over, even if they don't get or can't do what they want at first. Other children are quick to move on.
Understanding your child's inborn temperament makes your job as a parent easier. When you know what to expect, you will feel more confident when dealing with your child. Temperament helps parents avoid blame and guilt. There are no good or bad kids in terms of temperament. With practice, parents can learn to appreciate and work with their child's traits, whatever they may be. However, some parents simply have a tougher job because their child came into the world with a more challenging combination of traits.
Parents who understand temperament learn to prevent behavior problems by responding appropriately to what their child needs. When the parenting style and the environment fit the child, he or she can thrive and grow. To parent successfully, and to be able to solve child-rearing problems that arise, parents need to consider the individual differences of their child. A child whose temperament is understood and respected will be able to grow up with more confidence and have a better chance for success as an adult.
Understanding a child's temperament does not mean just shrugging one's shoulders and saying "That's the way he is." Rather, understanding temperament can be an invitation to be creative in helping a child develop the skills and behavior he needs to become socialized and to accomplish tasks necessary for successful living. |
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Annual ECPC Parent and Me Groups
Open House Event!!
June 8th 10 to 11:30am
·We offer supportive and educational parent and me groups
·This is a great chance to meet our leaders and learn about us
·See if our groups are the right fit for you and your child
·Sign ups for our fall program are beginning now
NEW GROUPS BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER!
OPEN HOUSE:
Weds., June 8th 10 to 11:30 am
1440 Harvard St., Santa Monica 90404
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