Here’s What You Need To Know About Your Child’s Personality

Is your child shy? Or is he exuberant and boosted up with energy? What kind of child do you have? Where did these traits come from?

Have you been able to understand which type of personality your child belongs to? If these are some of the questions that have been on your mind, this article will help you find the answers.

Every child is born with a distinct personality and has a unique way to perceive the world. Although their life-views and world-views are shaped much later, they might have abilities and characters that categorise them into a set of personality types.

Hippocrates, a Greek physician, has divided a child’s personality into four broad types- choleric, sanguine, melancholic, and phlegmatic.

Have a glance and find out if your child fits into any of these.

What Are The Different Personality Types?

According to Hippocrates, the four personality types are-

1. Choleric: The key characteristics of children belonging to this personality type are-

• Passionate about their goals and they’ll strive for the best to achieve these desired goals even at a young age.
• Competitive, outspoken, adventurous, highly ambitious, and holds strong opinions.
• Dare determined and are driven by strong willpower.
• They have an urge to know more.
• They might be withdrawn socially, but they know when it is time to raise their voice.
• Logical and analytical.

If your little one has any of these qualities, you know that he/ she belongs to the choleric personality type.

2. Sanguine: Children belonging to this personality type are playful, talkative, social, and imaginative. Some of their characteristics are:

• They are carefree, playful, optimistic, adventurous, and are not afraid of risks.
• With a positive approach towards life, they’re determined too.
• They may get bored easily and cannot live without entertainment.

If your little one has any of these qualities, you know that he/ she belongs to the sanguine personality type.

3. Melancholic: The key characteristics of children belonging to this personality type are-

• Not adventurous and are not fond of taking risks. They love to stay within their comfort zone.
• Social and helpful.
• Careful with their decisions and are extremely disciplined.

If your child has any of these qualities, he/ she might fit into this category of personality.

4. Phlegmatic: Children belonging to this personality type are thoughtful and attentive. Some of their characteristics are:

• They are loyal and helpful.
• Trustworthy and avoid conflicts.
• Thoughtful and attentive, they are diplomatic too. 
• They avoid making rash decisions and have set goals.

A child with any of these qualities, might be phlegmatic.

The four categories may further be simplified into-

1. Extraversion or introversion: Children in the ‘extraversion’ category love to talk and are outgoing. Whereas, children in the ‘introversion’ category are more reserved and do not talk much. They are self-reflective.

2. Sensing or intuition: ‘Sensing’ children focus on reality and information at face value. They believe what they can see and hear.

‘Intuitive’ children envision alternatives or hidden possibilities. They pay more attention to the bigger picture rather than concrete details.

3. Thinking or feeling: Children in the ‘thinking’ category are factual and analytical. They make decisions with logical reasoning.

Children falling under the ‘feeling’ category are empathetic and recognize the impact of emotions on decisions.

4. Judging or perceiving: Little ones belonging to the ‘judging’ category believe in firm rules, organisation, and planning.

‘Perceiving’ children leave their options open for life and luck to take over.

Why Do Personality Types Matter?

Personality develops throughout several stages from infancy to adolescence. It is important to understand your child’s personality type, as it helps you unravel more about them. It also forms the core of mindful parenting.

All children think, act, and behave differently. Knowing which personality type your child belongs to, helps you design your parenting technique effectively.

Understanding the aspects of your child’s personality is important. It leads you to a greater understanding and acceptance of your child as they are. Cheers to parenting!