Thomas And Chess's Classic Temperamental Categories Chart
Thomas and Chess's classic temperamental categories chart is a widely recognized way of categorizing children's temperaments. This chart is based on the theory that children are born with innate temperament traits that influence their behavior and personality.
The Nine Temperamental Categories
According to Thomas and Chess, there are nine temperamental categories that children can fall into:
- Easy
- Difficult
- Slow-to-warm-up
- Active
- Passive
- Verbal
- Nonverbal
- Social
- Unsocial
Easy
Children with an easy temperament are generally happy, adaptable, and have regular eating and sleeping habits. They are able to handle changes in routine without much fuss and are generally easy to soothe.
Difficult
Children with a difficult temperament are often fussy, irritable, and have irregular eating and sleeping habits. They may be easily upset by changes in routine and can be difficult to soothe.
Slow-to-warm-up
Children with a slow-to-warm-up temperament are generally shy and hesitant in new situations. They may take a while to warm up to new people or activities, but once they do, they are usually able to enjoy themselves.
Active
Children with an active temperament are generally energetic and curious. They enjoy exploring their environment and can be easily bored if they are not given enough stimulation.
Passive
Children with a passive temperament are generally content to sit and observe their environment. They are often easy-going and do not require a lot of stimulation to be happy.
Verbal
Children with a verbal temperament are generally talkative and enjoy communicating with others. They may be easily distracted by new sounds or sights.
Nonverbal
Children with a nonverbal temperament are generally quiet and may not communicate much with others. They may be more observant of their environment than talkative children.
Social
Children with a social temperament are generally outgoing and enjoy being around others. They may be more likely to approach new people or activities without hesitation.
Unsocial
Children with an unsocial temperament are generally more reserved and may prefer to be alone. They may take longer to warm up to new people or activities.
How the Categories Affect Parenting
Understanding your child's temperament category can help you tailor your parenting style to their needs. For example, a child with a difficult temperament may need more patience and soothing than a child with an easy temperament. A child with an active temperament may need more stimulation and opportunities for physical activity than a child with a passive temperament.
Conclusion
Thomas and Chess's classic temperamental categories chart is a useful tool for understanding children's temperaments. By identifying your child's temperament category, you can better understand their needs and tailor your parenting style to meet them.
