Personality Traits of Toddlers

Raising four kids of my own and having had several neighborhood and foster children grace my home over the years, I do not need any convincing that babies come reprogrammed with a personality all their own. Sensitive children, drama queens and silly babies, grow up to be sensitive, dramatic and silly respectively. Sure, parenting plays a part, but children are bent a certain way from the start.

How to handle some quirky toddler trait:

Drama Queen or Drama King
Highly expressive, this little actor is powerful and knows it. Feisty and opinionated, their emotions can quickly wear out parents, and siblings.
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They want to be noticed. Let them shine in healthy ways, or they will find less attractive ways to make their presence known. This is the type of child that can benefit from a well-stocked dress up box and a regular audience. When my very expressive son realized I was always available to watch his performances while folding laundry, life became much simpler! I got laundry done and he got the, mostly, undivided attention he craved to tell me stories complete with props.

Bossy Babe,or Boss Man
Not to be confused with the Drama Queen, Bossy Babe is not on earth to entertain. She is an assertive leader who just wants to take over the world (that's all.) Angry outbursts and a string of orders characterize the Boss.

Bring out the best in your future CEO
Encourage decision making, without catering to their every whim. Instead of asking what they would like to do, give them two distinct choices. Rephrase their demands and orders. For example, after they shout, "Push me on the swing!" You can respond with, "Did you mean to say, ''¹..."Mommy, will you please push me on the swing?'" After they calmly rephrase their demand as a request, you can take them to the swing. While time consuming at first, a bossy child will learn the lingo if they want to be in control.

Jokester
Born class clowns really appreciate a good knock-knock joke, unfortunately you probably are not as amused after endless retelling. These children feel the need to talk constantly and find something silly to point out and share.

Bring out the best in the showman
Let these children shine with activities that bring out their talents. Let them announce what is for dinner or have them talk through chores, giving a play by play of what is going on in the house can be an outlet to exercise their vocal cords. Record their voice and let them hear what they sound like. Ask them to record themselves speaking in different voices and volume levels so that they can learn to control their natural speaking gift.

Shy Guy or Quiet Cuties
Timid children are content watching rather than playing in a group. They might be too scared to jump in, or just rather play by themselves. Shy guys can be confusing for outgoing parents.

How to bring out the best in your introvert
Prepping a child before activities involving other children or adults can help immensely. As a shy girl myself, I know it takes time to be comfortable in a new situation. Knowing what to expect helps speed up the process. Offer details and be ready to wait. Quiet kids often engage in their own way. Curious and introspective children may prefer to color quietly while watching a group play. Gently encourage to take small risks, by letting them experience "new" activities again and again. The fourth or fifth tiny tumbler class may do the trick and get them off the sidelines onto the mat.

Whatever your toddler's quirky traits are, take them in stride. Parenting is for the long haul and the calmer you can train yourself to handle bad behavior, tantrums and general quirks, the more peaceful your home will be!

More by Sylvie Branch:
Stop Complaining: Positive Parenting Tips
How to Say No: Tips for Managing Your Life
Guard Your Time: Time-saving Strategies for Parents