The Personality Types in Toddlers

The Wild Thing

• The "wild" child, rather than being truly wild, is really just spirited. Spirited toddlers can be difficult to understand if you can't relate. These toddlers are always on the move; rarely do they want to cuddle or relax. They also tend to be strong-willed and seem to have an opinion about everything. They are more likely to either love something or hate it; there is no middle ground. These children need to expend their energy, so take your toddler to the park, run around the backyard or chase bubbles to get his extra energy out.

The Daredevil

• Some toddlers like to test the limits of their strength and endurance, as well as their parents' patience. They want to climb to the top of the china hutch and jump off or crawl into a drainage pipe to explore. Maybe your toddler likes to taste Daddy's spicy food or gets excited over the BMX games. Another name for daredevils is "explorers." Give your thrill seeker plenty of safe places to explore, even if it's in your living room with a couch-cushion obstacle course. Also, be sure your toddler doesn't skip naps; exploring takes a lot of energy.

The Shy Child

• Shy toddlers often have very sensitive natures. They feel very strongly when other people are in pain or even when they're happy. These children need to be given plenty of time and warning when entering a new situation. For example, you can't expect them to run up to a cousin they haven't seen in awhile and just start playing. Look at a picture of the cousin a few days ahead of time and talk to your little one about the impending visit, giving your shy toddler a chance to adapt to the new situation.

The Cranky Grump

• Some children are just born with a cranky or disgruntled disposition. You may ask them if they enjoyed the circus, and instead of responding with delight, they may say, "Yeah, but the music was too loud and it was too long." Very little tends to please these children. This can be frustrating for a parent, but continue to build a positive relationship with your cranky toddler. Let her know that it's OK to be happy and give her plenty of situations to express her positive thoughts.

The Happy Child

• Happy toddlers typically appear to be the easiest to raise. They are bright and cheerful in the morning, they'll go along with what you suggest and they don't raise a big fuss about much of anything. They can, however, get lost in the crowd if you have other children who are more demanding. They also don't always assert their own opinion, so you don't know what they like or dislike. Be careful not to make your child into a mini-me, just because it's easiest for you.

A Mix

• Often, toddlers fall into several different categories, depending on the situation. He may be a wild child at home where he is the most comfortable, but bring him to someone else's home for a playdate and he may revert into a shy toddler, clinging to your leg. Happy children still get shy around new people, or may start acting wild when they haven't gotten enough sleep or Uncle Bob comes over and gets them all wound up. Be careful not to see just the dominant personality traits but get to know all facets of your child's personality.