What Type is your child?

[ilovebed]

I posted on the main board that H and I had really productive 90 minute one on one session with E's main teachers, who is also a professional parent coach. I really respect her opinion and guidance. She started our session off by reading a description of a Type 3 child from this book The Child Whisperer. It was SPOT ON. I may have also seen some elements of Type 1, but Type 3 was all around spot on. After discussion why E was a Type 3, which was easy to convince of us, she talked about what Type 3's need and how to communicate with a Type 3. It all made so much sense to me. I think once H and I realized that E can't be changed...she is who she is...we realized we need to adapt our parenting to her natural personality traits in order for us all to be happier. And she has some really awesome personality traits even though I feel that she is a real handful sometimes.

Her teacher told us that E experiences the world very physically. People say about her "She's so busy. Always in to everything. She has a lot of energy." And that's because she learns and experiences the world through physical connection. I'm not a very affectionate person and I don't need that personally, but she need regular physical check-ins in order to feel that she is connected to the adults around her. Her teacher told me she goes out of her way to rub E's back while she's playing to recognize her, and E gets a lot of lap time. She is also given a lot more busy work in class that keeps her physically engaged. Sorting beads, Cutting dough. Cutting paper. Gluing fuzz balls, etc. I often find myself saying to her "What is wrong with you!? Why are you so destructive!?" Well this description says that if you don't give a Type 3 a physical outlet, they will find a way to let their energy out in a negative way. 

As I interpret it, I have a border collie for a child. Haha. She's a strong leader who tends towards "bossiness" and needs to be exercised routinely or she will become very destructive. 

I was a little relieved to know that her teacher, who I perceive to be a Saint, also struggles with the same behaviors that H and I experience at home. She's dealing with them in a more positive way and H I will get on board with her tools. It was also good to hear about all the good things about E. Like, I had no idea that E knew how to use scissors by herself. I didn't know that she could thread beads! Her teacher told me that E can sometimes be a little bossy, but mostly she just command attention (love that!). She often directs the play and others WANT to follow her because they like her. "Let's all collect leaves and make a leaf pile! for example. I'm sure her teacher says this about everyone but I felt a sense of pride when she said "We are all so curious to know what E will grow up to be because she's such a cool kid."

I'm curious to know what you think about the Types and whether you think your kid fits into one. I'll definitely be picking up the book! I found it to be really insightful for myself so I just wanted to pass it along. 

thechildwhisperer.com/4-types-intro/


 

[jamer]

That's interesting! I would guess my oldest is a type 1. Guess I need to read up more on how to deal with her

[dana86]

That is interesting. Is it odd that I don't think either of my girls fall into one type? Like M i think is half type one and half type 3. But J is just kind of all over each of the types.

[georgeharrison]

Tman is numero uno with a couple ideas from #2

[ilovebed]

I think E is pretty squarely type 3 but she's also very social so she has qualities of 1. I doubt many kids are just one thing or another.

[alias]

None of these scream E to me, but if I had to pick, I guess I'd pick 3. He's very physical/active and bossy, and he does like a lot of physical attention.

I, very clearly, was Type 4/Serious.

[jennlin]

my daughter is #1 social, my son is #2 sensitive.

[picksthemusic]

I think M is type 1, and B is type 3. This is really cool! Thanks for sharing!

[ilovebed]

Oct 22, 2015 10:26:44 GMT -5 picksthemusic said:

I think M is type 1, and B is type 3. This is really cool! Thanks for sharing!

Whew! You must have a boisterous household!

Based on what my mom has said about me and what MIL has said about H I think I was a type 3 like Em and H was was a type 4, which is why he has a particularly hard time dealing with her. He was the type of kid who would play quietly in his room for hours, lost in his little imagination world. He was very serious. He just doesn't understand why she wouldn't want to do that as well. 

[alias]

Oct 22, 2015 16:05:00 GMT -5 ilovebed said:

Oct 22, 2015 10:26:44 GMT -5 picksthemusic said:

I think M is type 1, and B is type 3. This is really cool! Thanks for sharing!

Whew! You must have a boisterous household!

Based on what my mom has said about me and what MIL has said about H I think I was a type 3 like Em and H was was a type 4, which is why he has a particularly hard time dealing with her. He was the type of kid who would play quietly in his room for hours, lost in his little imagination world. He was very serious. He just doesn't understand why she wouldn't want to do that as well. 

I was like this too, but since E is a bit it never occurred to me that he'd want to play alone. I expected lots of running and jumping.

[karebear219]

I think Bkb is mostly type 4 with some type 2.