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Home > Ready for Life > Teachers > Temperament > About Temperament > Tips For Working With Moods
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    • 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
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        • Temperament Tips
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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 gazes intently into bathtub bubbleHelp 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

  • Who Is My Child?

    In this video, you will learn about how our temperament traits make us different from one another.
  • What Would You Do?

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  • What Makes Up a Child’s Temperament?

    Find out about the different aspects of temperament traits.
  • Things to Remember

    Watch for essential information about understanding your child's temperament.
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  • Getting Along

    It's important to teach your child how to get along with others in spite of differences in temperament.

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