Understanding your child's personality

Understanding your Ward’s Personality: How Well do you Know your Kids?

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By Comfort Umoren-Olorunnisomo

Children are beautiful innocent little creatures who can wear you out with their energy yet give unexplainable joy with their smile. They are the younger version of us sometimes; they carry the personalities of both parents in their tiny little bodies. A child’s personality usually becomes more visible between ages 3 and 5. Psychologists have established there are four types of personalities common among children. While this may be true, a child may exhibit one or more of these personality traits. These personalities help us to understand our wards and how to train and guide them based on their uniqueness. Each child is unique, adopting the same method to raise them all may be favourable to some and damaging to others, just like plants, they require varied amount of water and techniques to grow well.

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This first set is the playful fun-loving kids. They are energetic, restless, curious and full of ideas. They are always trying out new things, touching and exploring everything. Traditional learning environment may be challenging for them as they can hardly sit for long (Hanneke, 2016). They make friends easily and are noisy too (Nicolette, 2019).  Such kids do well in sports and entertainments especially as dancers, actors, gymnasts, musicians and other professions that will put them at the centre stage. In dealing with such kids, encourage them to share their ideas and praise their good ideas, play with them and give them freedom to express their ideas and creativity.

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The next group is the sensitive lot. They are naturally quiet and easy going. They do things in their own time – slowly and gently and are often regarded as ‘too slow.’ They are planners, observers, mostly introverts and they prefer to be prepared than be surprised. Be more patient with such kids, give them adequate information of a situation so they don’t worry, don’t push or compare them with their ‘faster’ peers. Haneke (2016) opined that this kind of kids thrive as scientists, mathematicians, fine artists, script/song writers and other professions that require observation and deep thinking.

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There are also those with the determined personality. They are more self driven, active, strong willed, adventurous and blunt. They are risk takers and they strive to see things through to the end. They are likely to become entrepreneurs and leaders in their chosen career paths. Encourage their confidence, offer help when needed and guide them carefully.

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Lastly, the serious child is logical, independent, focused, mature and rigid. They are inquisitive, perfectionist and organised. Their curious minds lead to be become innovators, journalists, doctors, lecturers/researchers, engineers and the likes. Relate with them mentally before emotionally (Nicolette, 2019). Ask for their opinion and respect it even though you may not follow it.

Therefore, it is important to know and understand your ward's personality and relate with them bases on their I'm uniqueness and personality. Training and guiding them based on who they are helps the child to grow academically, spiritually and socially thereby, realising their full potentials in adulthood. This may be tasking as a parent, especially if you have more than one child but, at the long run, it becomes rewarding. Take out time to study your child(ren)'s behaviours and activities and learn more on how to become a better parent.

Stay healthy and stay safe!