Each trait is given a subjective scaling between one and five. Ones and fives indicate extremes, with more moderate traits scored as twos, threes and fours. Remember that traits are neither good nor bad, they are just the way it is. Each trait carries natural talents and skill deficits.

For example, a highly adaptable person will get along easily in most situations, but may also need to learn to think for himself and resist going along with bad ideas. On the other hand, a gradual adapter will usually say "no" as his first response to practically everything, and needs to learn to go along for the sake of progress when doing so is safe.

The exploration of temperament with its many dimensions and the interplay of traits within and among individuals provides an endlessly fascinating source of speculation. Once you assess yourself, you'll want to assess your whole family and examine the myriad ways you interact, all according to your individual temperaments!

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Persistence

High Persistence Children

• Rarely give up on difficult tasks
• Take on challenges well beyond their skill level
• Sometimes persist at things that are unimportant
• May tend to do things the hard way because they don't like to ask for help
• May take things too seriously
• May appear mature for their age
• May be perfectionist

Low Persistence Children

• Are frustrated easily, even by simple tasks
• May get angry and give up
• May DEMAND help from parents, teacher s, coaches
• May struggle to learn self-care skills, potty training, dressing, tying shoes
• Tend to stick with things they are naturally good at and can look highly persistent when NOT frustrated
• May have short attention span
• Tend to "let go" easily

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Activity

Low Activity Children

• May take a long time to complete tasks
• Usually avoid activities that require a lot of physical energy
• May dislike active family pastimes

High Activity Children

• Are often overactive -- running wildly, talking incessantly, jumping on furniture
• Are often fidgety or restless
• May be aggressive during play
• Are usually no t clinically hyperactive
• May be able to sit quietly at video games or TV for an extended period of time

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Approach

High Approaching Children

• Are the opposite of shy
• Lack fear in potentially dangerous situations
• May be friendly with strangers
• Separate easily from parents; may get lost in crowds or stores
• May be impulsive

Low Approaching Children

• Are usually shy
• Need time to warm up to new experiences
• Say they don't like things before trying the m
• May be picky -- eating only certain foods, playing with only certain toys
• Usually have difficulty separating from parents
• Show fear in seemingly safe situations
• Cautious

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Intensity

Low-Intensity Children

• Are "hard to read" - they have emotions but it is difficult for others to notice
• May seem apathetic
• Are sometimes mistakenly viewed an uninvolved, low in motivation or intelligence

High-Intensity Children

• Put a lot of energy into their emotional expressions
• May scream so loudly it hurts your ears
• Are emphatic in voice and physical gesturing

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Regularity

Highly Regular Children

• May be easy to potty train if bowels are predictable
• Adjust easily to regular eating and bedtime schedules
• Struggle with changes in eating & sleeping routine
• Parents say they can "set the clock" by them

Irregular Children

• Are difficult to potty train
• Have bedtime struggles due to irregularity in sleep patterns
• May not be hungry at meals, but want food at different times on different days

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Distractibility

Low Distractibility Children

• Tend to stick with tasks until they are completed
• May become "caught up in their own world" - not noticing things going on around them
• Can be excellent naggers who challenge the parents' ability to not give in

High Distractibility Children

• Notice things readily
• May have trouble concentrating on complex or lengthy tasks
• May leave belongings scattered hither and yon
• Tend to be forgetful

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Sensory Awareness

Low Sensory Awareness Children

• May have dull senses
• Can miss things going on around them - they don't notice
• Can have excellent concentration; sensory input doesn't distract

High Sensory Awareness Children