Temperament Traits Quiz

Ask yourself: How active is my child?

Is my child always moving or usually sitting still? Is there a lot of jumping around at our house, or more quiet and calm playing? What happens when she has to sit still for a long time? What happens when he has to be up and around for a long time?

• Needs an outlet for his energy.
• Can't sit still or quiet for long periods.
• Can be seen as able to do things.
• May be accident prone.

• May take more time to finish things.
• Can have physical problems, like being overweight.
• Often can sit still and listen in school.
• Prefers quiet activities like reading and watching television

Ask yourself: How sensitive is my child to light, smells, sounds and touching?

What happens if there is a loud noise in our house? How does my child react if there is a bright light nearby? What happens when he eats something that has a new taste? How does she react when I hug or touch her? If there is a bad smell nearby, does he notice?

• May become fussy if there are loud noises or bright lights.
• Learns by seeing, touching, and using all of her senses.
• May be cuddly and sometimes clingy.

• Often is not interested in hugging or touching.
• Enjoys brighter lights and louder music.
• May sleep through noise and lights.

Ask yourself: How aware is my child of feelings and emotions?

Can she tell me what she is feeling? When someone else is sad or hurt, does he notice and seem concerned about what that person is feeling? Does she act mad when she is probably really sad or scared? Does he try to comfort others who are upset?

• Can be very caring and sympathetic to others.
• Can use words to tell how she feels.
• Might act on feelings instead of thinking things through.

• May not know he upset someone or why.
• Can act angry instead of sad or hurt.
• Is often more interested in the facts than how people feel.

Ask yourself: How strongly does my child express feelings, wants and opinions?

Do I have to guess what he is thinking? Does she sometimes get overlooked or bossed around by other people? Does he like to tell others what to do and how to do it? What happens when she doesn't like something or someone? What happens when he wants something?

• May yell or cry over small things.
• May have trouble taking turns or letting other children choose games.
• Can be good at talking you into things.

• Might be seen as an underachiever.
• May get pushed around by other children.
• May be calmer and more cooperative.

Ask yourself: How does my child stick with and complete a task?

Will he sit and do one thing until he is done? Does she start something and then move on to something else right in the middle? What happens if I ask him to stop doing something? Will she stay with something even if it is not easy, or does she give up?

• Might have trouble taking "no" for an answer or stopping.
• Will stick with something until it is done.
• Is often considered stubborn.

• May have trouble finishing things.
• Is easily sidetracked from what she is doing.
• May give up on toys or tasks that are too complicated or uninteresting.

Ask yourself: How does my child pay attention?

Does he stop what he's doing often? What happens if there is a sudden noise while she is doing something? When he is fussy, can I get him to quickly think of something else, like a toy?

• Can complete tasks more easily.
• May be unaware of danger.
• May learn quickly.
• May not hear when you call

• May have trouble finishing things.
• May be able to do several things at once.
• Can do more than one thing at a time.
• Is easily sidetracked from what she is doing.

Ask yourself: How easily does my child accept changes?

What would happen if she had to go to new childcare or someone new were to watch her? Is he friendly with new children? What would happen if we moved to a new house or apartment? If everything in her room were moved around, would she be upset?

• May wander off if not watched in a store or crowd.
• Likes to explore new places.
• Will easily meet and accept new people.
• May become bored with the same things.

• Becomes shy with new people and places.
• Likes his toys, room, and teachers to stay the same.
• Needs more time to deal with change.
• Often fearful in new situations

Ask yourself: How much routine does my child need?

Does he like to do the same things at the same times everyday? What would happen if she had to go to bed earlier or later? Does he have a favorite cup or plate? Does she prefer to eat the same things? Do you need to change his diapers at the same times?

• Usually will go to bed or eat at the same time everyday.
• May have a favorite toy or cup.
• Can get upset when the day doesn't go as usual.

• Has varying needs for food or sleep.
• Enjoys doing things differently.
• May not notice small changes in the day.

Ask yourself: What is my child's mood most of the time?

Does he laugh or smile a lot? Does she usually see the positive or negative in things that happen? Does he usually seem serious? When things go wrong, is she able to shrug off disappointment? Does he play happily with others or does he prefer to play alone?

• Makes friends easily.
• May act happy even when sad.
• Might not know how to act when serious things happen

• May have a harder time having fun.
• Can be more studious and learn more easily.
• May be seen as unhappy or having problems when he does not.

• Might have trouble keeping friends.
• May become sad or frustrated easily.
• Can be more realistic about things.