Post on 03-Nov-2021
Understanding the Impact of Parenting
Styles and Temperament
Sandi Cimino Family Support Specialist
Child Crisis Center Family Resource Center
What is a Parenting Style? Psychologist Diana Baumrind
• work in late 1940’s through 1960’s
• 4 dimensions of parenting that led to development of parenting styles – Parental control
– Maturity demands
– Clarity of communication
– Nurturance
• A set of strategies used to raise children
• Fluid, changeable
• Characterized by levels of responsiveness & demandingness
• Influenced by many factors
What is a Parenting Style?
Why Parenting Styles Differ
Beliefs Actions
Self Care Parental stress
Values Family Culture
Ethnic Culture Ineffective
parenting scripts Substance Use
What is Temperament
• Temperament is neither “good” or “bad.” It just “is.”
• It is a set of inborn traits that remain throughout life.
• Temperament has a great deal to do with how we behave and with how others perceive us.
• “Goodness of fit” is important in parenting
• Three main temperament styles
– Feisty/Spirited/Challenging
– Easy/Flexible
– Cautious/Slow to warm
Temperament Traits Activity Level
Adaptability
Approach/Withdrawal
Distractibility
Intensity
Mood
Persistence/Frustration Tolerance
Regularity/Rhythmicity
Sensitivity
Goodness of Fit • Occurs when there is a balance
among people in the environment and the demands of the environment.
– Temperament
– Parenting Styles
• Based on interactions
• Best indicator of positive child outcomes
Improving Parent-Child Interactions
With all temperament types – Provide structure
– Have predictable routines
– Recognize positive behaviors
– Be consistent in setting limits and enforcing consequences
– Be clear on behavior expectations and consequences
Improving Parent-Child Interactions
• Feisty/Spirited/Challenging – Ignore minor attention-seeking behaviors
– Teach emotional literacy (emotion control/expression)
– Consistency & clarity
– Use “no” sparingly, apply positive redirection
– Reduce stimulation
– Provide reminders
Improving Parent-Child Interactions
• Easy/Flexible – Frequent check in’s
– Structure & daily routines to build sense of security
– Teach emotional literacy (identifying emotions/emotional expression)
– Consistency & clarity
– Opportunities to explore
– Avoid extremes
Improving Parent-Child Interactions
• Quiet/Slow-to-Warm – Recognize child’s cues
– Allow extra time for transitions- Be patient, don’t force
– Reduce stimulation
– Break tasks into smaller steps
– Exhibit empathy
– Structure important to security
– Avoid moving too fast
Improving Parent-Child Interactions
Look through a new lens… Instead of “Feisty”:
Adventurous, Passionate, Explorative, Ready to go go go!!!
Instead of “Slow to warm”: Cautious, Observant, Sensitive, Aware of their surroundings
Instead of “Easy”: Charismatic, Aware of surroundings, Easy to please