KERA
Skip to content
  • Home
  • Television
  • Radio
  • News
  • Art&Seek
  • Kids&Family
  • KXT 91.7
  • About
  • Donate
  • Kids & Family

  • Teachers

    • Attachment & Socialization

      About Attachment & Socialization
      Your Child's Attachment Development
      Attachment Tools & Tips
      Attachment & Socialization Videos

    • Early Literacy

      About Early Literacy
      Early Literacy Development
      Early Literacy Tools & Tips
      Early Literacy Videos

    • Nutrition & Fitness

      Food
      Nutrition
      Activities
      Nutrition & Fitness Videos

    • Temperament

      About Temperament
      Your Child's Temperament
      Temperament Tools & Tips
      Temperament Videos

  • Parents

    • Attachment & Socialization

      About Attachment & Socialization
      Your Child's Attachment Development
      Attachment Tools & Tips
      Attachment & Socialization Videos

    • Early Literacy

      About Early Literacy
      Early Literacy Development
      Early Literacy Tools & Tips
      Early Literacy Videos

    • Nutrition & Fitness

      Food
      Nutrition
      Activities
      Nutrition & Fitness Videos

    • Temperament

      About Temperament
      Your Child's Temperament
      Temperament Tools & Tips
      Temperament Videos

  • Kids

    • Play Games
    • PBS Kids Video
    • PBS Kids Mobile
Home > Ready for Life > Parents > Temperament > About Temperament > Tips For Working With Moods
Skip to content
  • For Parents
    • Temperament
      • About Temperament
        • Tips for Working With Activity Level
        • Tips For Working With Awareness Of Feelings
        • Tips for Working with Children Who Enjoy Change or Who Enjoy What’s Familiar
        • Tips For Working With Distractibility
        • Tips For Working With Moods
        • Tips For Working With Persistence
        • Tips For Working With Sensitivity To Senses
        • Tips For Working With Strengths Of Expression
        • Tips For Working With The Need For Physical Routine
      • Key Temperament Traits
      • Temperament Defined
      • Temperament Tools and Tips
        • Temperament Resources
        • Temperament Tips
      • Your Child’s Temperament
        • Temperament and Temporary Care
        • Your Child’s Temperament-Based World
      • Temperament Videos
    • Attachment & Socialization
    • Early Literacy
    • Nutrition & Fitness

Tips For Working With Moods

pensive three-year-old girl clutching her teddy bearTips for Working with a Child Who Is Usually in a Happy Mood

Friends, Family and Home

  • Ask her to help with younger siblings.
  • Ask family members to not use labels, such as “always happy.”
  • Introduce him to friends that need him, such as those with special needs or who are more serious.
  • Point out when family members are feeling sad, and encourage sensitivity.

Learning, Childcare and School

  • Don’t assume that she isn’t smart just because she isn’t as serious.
  • Ask teachers to encourage him to express all of his feelings.
  • Encourage problem-solving games and activities at home and at school.

Activities and Television

  • Provide her with activities that require thought, such as strategy games and activities that must be planned and completed in a series of steps.
  • Encourage him in service to others.
  • When a person is sad or troubled on television, ask her if she ever feels that way, and talk about how she can let people know.

Guidance and Discipline

  • Let him know that people will still like him if he is unhappy or serious at times.
  • Avoid labels in front of others such as “she is always happy.”
  • Develop a cue such as a word or gesture that you can use to let him know that he needs to be serious about what is being discussed or what is happening.
  • Let her know that sometimes everyone is unhappy and to tell you if she feels down.

Tips for Working with a Child Who Is Usually Serious

Friends, Family and Home

  • Three-year-old studies a bubble in his bathtub intentlyHelp the family to appreciate his more serious nature.
  • Involve her in play groups, and encourage friendships with many children.
  • Plan fun and light-hearted family activities and outings.

Learning, Childcare and School

  • Ask the teacher to involve him in puppets and dramatic play.
  • Read nonfiction as well as fiction and humor books to her.
  • Ask the teacher to assist him in joining groups for recess and play.
  • Ask teachers to make special efforts to hold and cuddle a baby.

Activities and Television

  • Involve her in activities with other children.
  • Read joke books, and watch funny movies and talk about how fun it is to laugh.
  • Provide games and materials that deal with his world and interests.
  • Watch science and history shows with her on television, and discuss the show’s topics.

Guidance and Discipline

  • If he seems depressed, talk to him and ask him how he is feeling.
  • Give her time to explain and talk about her actions.
  • Let him know that you appreciate him!
  • Help her learn to name her feelings by naming them for her at first.

Tips for Working with a Child Who Is Usually Less Positive

Friends, Family and Home

  • Share family stories with happy endings.
  • Involve her in playgroups, and encourage friendships with many children.
  • Give some notice before outings to discourage negative reactions.
  • Allow everyone to share good things that happened today during meals or before bedtime.

Learning, Childcare and School

  • A small group of four-year-olds makes images with their teacherPraise his artwork, and ask him about things he enjoyed at school.
  • Find books in which the characters solve problems with a positive attitude.
  • Ask the teacher to assist her in developing friendships.
  • Let teachers know that baby may be fussy, and encourage them to be soothing and loving.

Activities and Television

  • Involve him in fun activities with other children.
  • Encourage her to play games without complaining about fairness.
  • Participate with him in fun activities.
  • Avoid television with sad themes and unhappy endings.

Guidance and Discipline

  • Talk to her about positive, happy things in her life.
  • Tell him when you see him enjoying activities and being happy.
  • Let her know that you appreciate her!
  • Recognize that a baby many seem crankier or smile less, and increase your efforts to cuddle and be loving.

Related Video

  • Feeling Loved

    Children need to establish a loving relationship with a dependable care giver from the time they are infants. This video will show you how.
  • Getting Along

    It's important to teach your child how to get along with others in spite of differences in temperament.
  • Who Is My Child?

    In this video, you will learn about how our temperament traits make us different from one another.
  • What Makes Up a Child’s Temperament?

    Find out about the different aspects of temperament traits.
  • Temperament Traits

    Understand the different traits that make up your child's temperament.
  • Do Your Child’s Temperament and World Fit Together?

    Learn to balance what your child needs from their environment because of their temperament and also what they need to learn to adapt to.

    play GAMES

    watch VIDEOS

    Full Steam Ahead
  • Home
  • Contact KERA
  • Privacy Policy
PBS NPR American Public Media BBC

© 2023 KERA