This work explores the differences between temperamental traits and psychological disorders. What is the difference between a child who is temperamentally sad and one who has depression? Can a child be angry by temperament without being mentally ill? Here, the author discusses the factors that can propel children with particular temperamental tendencies towards or away from more problematic trajectories.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR CHILD'S TEMPERAMENT From their earliest days some children are shy and others are bold. A brother may be flexible, while his sister is rigid. One child is highly active, another far less so. One may stick with a challenge for hours, while another gives up easily. All children display distinct profiles of nine largely inborn temperament traits that determine how they experience their environments and respond to them. These interactions have a major impact on children's physical health, development, social behavior, and school performance, and on the caregivers themselves. If adults learn to recognize and tolerate temperament traits, they will be able to manage them more harmoniously and care for each child's individual needs. "What an important book for parents to consider. Treating each child as an individual shows them the respect that will engender self-esteem in them later. This book about differences in temperament by Dr. William Carey, an esteemed pediatrician, will give parents the backup they need to treat each child individually." T. Berry Brazelton, M.D Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School Author of numerous books on child development and care. "America's favorite pediatrician" "This classic work is now more useful than ever. The too often neglected role of temperamental patterns is explained brilliantly, so that all adults who live or work with kids can understand and manage these all-important differences between them." Mel Levine, M.D. Professor of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina Medical School. Author of national bestseller, A Mind at a Time, and 10 other books about children's learning issues.

For the past twenty years Keirsey has continued to investigate personality differences, to refine his theory of the four temperaments and to define the facets of character that distinguish one from another. His findings form the basis of Please Understand Me II, an updated and greatly expanded edition of the book, far more comprehensive and coherent than the original, and yet with much of the same easy accessibility. One major addition is Keirsey's view of how the temperaments differ in the intelligent roles they are most likely to develop. Each of us, he says, has four kinds of intelligence, tactical, logistical, diplomatic, strategic, though one of the four interests us far more than the others, and thus gets far more practice than the rest. Like four suits in a hand of cards, we each have a long suit and a short suit in what interests us and what we do well, and fortunate indeed are those whose work matches their skills. As in the original book, Please Understand Me II begins with The Keirsey Temperament Sorter, the most used personality inventory in the world. But also included is The Keirsey Four-Types Sorter, a new short questionnaire that identifies one's basic temperament and then ranks one's second, third, and fourth choices. Share this new sorter with friends and family, and get set for a lively and fascinating discussion of personal styles.

Timely and authoritative, this unique handbook explores the breadth of current knowledge on temperament, from foundational theory and research to clinical applications. Leaders in the field examine basic temperament traits, assessment methods, and what brain imaging and molecular genetics reveal about temperament's biological underpinnings. The book considers the pivotal role of temperament in parent–child interactions, attachment, peer relationships, and the development of adolescent and adult personality and psychopathology. Innovative psychological and educational interventions that take temperament into account are reviewed. Integrative in scope, the volume features extensive cross-referencing among chapters and a forward-looking summary chapter.

"Parenting Made Complicated: A One Size Does Not Fit All Look at What Science Really Knows about Early Parenting's Biggest Dilemmas addresses many of the longstanding parenting controversies that new mothers and fathers face. These include topics related to screens, daycare, praise, sleep training, spanking and time-outs. helicopter versus "old school" parenting, and others. Each chapter is devoted to a different parenting controversy and, a synthesis of what is known scientifically about each topic is presented, written in a non-technical and conversational style. Parenting Made Complicated, however, doesn't assume that the "correct" answer for each parenting dilemma is the same for each child and instead provides a roadmap for how the best approach may vary according to a child's temperament or other important factors. Many case vignettes and boxed practical suggestions are provided. Accounts are also given regarding how scientific information on a particular topic is applied and sometimes manipulated toward political aims. The book is written by child psychiatrist Dr. David Rettew, an expert in child temperament who has conducted research in child development and worked clinically with families for over 20 years"--

The Essential Companion Workbook To The National Bestseller Raising Your Spirited Child, In this companion workbook, Mary Sheedy Kurcinka brings readers into her world-famous workshops, where she offers parents and educators insights, emotional support and proven strategies for dealing with spirited children. The key word that distinguishes spirited children from other children is "more" -- more intense, more persistent, more sensitive and more uncomfortable with change. Through exercises, observations and dialogue from actual groups, Kurcinka helps readers learn to identify the triggers that lead to tantrums and challenging behaviors. Included are clues to help you identify the little things that can make or break a day tips for profiling your child's temperament and your own cues that indicate intensity is rising successful strategies for reducing and eliminating power struggles By combining the intuition and compassion gained from parenting a spirited child with the wisdom of an expert who has worked with thousands of families, Mary Sheedy Kurcinka helps parents and educators view their unique challenge with perseverance, flexibility, sensitivity, and, most of all, enjoyment.

Why Temperament Matters: Guidance Strategies for Young Children addresses early childhood behavior guidance strategies related to children’s specific temperament traits. There are nine temperament traits that influence a child’s behavior: Activity Level, Distractibility, Persistence, Adaptability, Approach/Withdrawal, Intensity, Regularity, Sensory Awareness, Mood. All nine temperament traits are grouped into three major categories of personality: easy/flexible, feisty/spirited, and slow-to-warm-up/sensitive. This book provides specific ideas about how a child care provider can adjust the early childhood program and environment to meet the individual needs of each child’s temperament. There is a specific emphasis on children who fall into the feisty/spirited or the slow-to-warm-up/sensitive categories because they are often the ones who are expelled with challenging behaviors. Why Temperament Matters explains where challenging behaviors may originate in temperament and provides strategies for meeting temperament needs that prevent or lessen challenging behaviors.