Impact of Parenting Styles and Temperament
Transcript of Impact of Parenting Styles and Temperament
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