Your child’s personality development

You will notice your child’s unique personality when he makes a choice like picking the teddy bear and rejecting the rattler. Your child’s personality is growing and changing between the ages of 3 and 5. What sort of changes can you expect from your child between the ages of three and five? How can you help your child’s personality blossom? Here are some tips to help your child express his true personality and become a well-adjusted child in society.

From the age of 3-5 your child develops many new features. At this stage they become more comfortable at expressing themselves with words.  During these years children also gain greater self-control.  They begin to rely more on themselves than on others.  They start learning how to calm themselves when they get excited, frightened or upset.  They start becoming more attentive and less emotionally reactive.  Children also start building their self-confidence at this stage. They gain experience in learning how to treat others.  When kids reach the age of 5 they start showing a greater concern for mom and dad. They begin to understand that you have your own needs and feelings too. They also begin displaying affection and develop a fantasy life. They may swing between being demanding and being co-operative. Here are steps you could take to help your child’s personality develop fully and freely.

Keep in mind that your child is unique. Children differ remarkably from each other. Healthy personality development is possible by parenting that is sensitive to the individual needs of the child. 

Encourage your child to play. This hugely influences a child’s personality. Giving your child time to play is the most important factor in helping your child’s personality blossom. Play helps a child develop physically, mentally and emotionally.  It develops their skill at working in groups, settle conflicts, helps in developing their imagination and try on different roles. When children play they get to practice decision making. They also learn to stand up for themselves, create, explore and lead.

Avoid labeling your child as you want your child to develop his own individual personality without being influenced by yours or anyone else’s.  Don’t label your child as emotional, bossy or tough and create confusion in his personality.

You are the person your toddler sees and imitates the most so set an example by being polite, courteous and well-mannered.

Allow your child to be himself and not a replica of you. You may want your child to imitate your ways but it is more important to allow your child to develop his own individual personality. Many experts recommend reading to your child and broadening their perspective. Support your child’s interests and help them develop their personality. You can allow your child to be himself and still encourage new interests and hobbies. Instead of trying to change your child’s personality give them support in directions that help their personalities grow.

By the time your child reaches the preschool years the major part of the personality is already stable and on display.