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Can you help me understand the activity temperament and my child?

People are born with a set of temperaments, we didn't choose them.  Children have a set of temperaments that they were born with.  Understanding temperament can help you understand your child's behavior and reactions.

Temperament: Active to Still

Active:  Some people are born with an active temperament.  It is hard for them to sit still for very long and they love to keep moving.  They are sometimes referred to as "hyper or overactive". They become very active adults who may choose work that requires them to be physically moving or traveling.

Still: Others are born with a more still temperament.  They can be found doing quiet activities that do not require a lot of movement.  They are sometimes referred to as couch potatoes, unmotivated or lazy.  They become adults who may choose work that is more sedentary or tedious. 

When raising and teaching children it is our responsibility to find the strategy that works for each child (person) based on their temperament.  

An active child needs hands-on things to do they find it almost painful to be forced to sit still.  Give them plenty of items to hold, manipulate, build, throw, jump on, climb on, etc. 

A still child will not likely volunteer to dance in front of a group and may become emotional hurt when being rushed into an activity that requires a lot of movement.  They will more likely enjoy drawing, puzzles, individual games, reading, etc.

Active -----------Still: We can be anywhere on this temperament line.  We can be midway between them or to one extreme.  Children really need us to understand them, love them just as they are, and support the person they were meant to become. 

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