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CHILD GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT * 2 HOURS * LEVEL 2

Infant and Toddler Temperament 

Temperament Q & A Question #4

Page 13
Debbie Hasbrook, M. Ed.
Debbie Hasbrook has worked with children and families for 37 years. In that time she has been a home provider, teacher, center director, Regional and State conference presenter and Adjunct faculty at a number of colleges in Washington State. Debbie's education includes a Master of Education, Montessori Preschool Degree and several certifications.
We have taken some time to speak with Debbie Hasbrook, M. Ed. regarding infant and toddler temperament. She has worked with this age group for many years and has some very helpful and valuable information to share as a parent, grandparent, trainer, and child care professional.

Question #4
​How do I get a child on a consistent eating and sleeping pattern? 
The role that temperament plays in napping and eating has more to do with following the schedule, rather than whether the child’s body is ready to rest or eat. The flexible child goes with the flow, eats pretty much what is provided to them and will find their cot when it’s time to lie down. The feisty child will balk and struggle with following along unless they are hungry or tired. Even if a child with this temperament is tired, they may have a difficult time calming to rest. Eating can be a struggle for the feisty child when new foods are served, they are sitting by the wrong person, they had a difficult transition from play to the table, they are not hungry, or they just don’t like it. The fearful child may acquiesce and lie down, or may become distressed if they are new to care or the other children are acting out or otherwise having a difficult time settling down. Any food that is new or different may be a challenge for the fearful child. Never sit a fearful child next to a feisty child at meal time.

Imagine yourself in this situation, you are told when and what to eat, when to use the bathroom, when to sleep and when you can move freely around the room. Unfortunately when a child comes to group care, this is their experience. Most programs run on a schedule, so here are some things to consider:

All of the children need preparation for the next thing happening; this is especially true for the feisty and fearful child. Give the children plenty of time to transition and as much as possible make it fun and stress-free. Allow for extra time. Sing clean up songs and help children clean up, play soft elevator music that has no lyrics during lunch. Half way through lunch turn on the nap music you will be using. Use the same music every single day. Children’s minds will begin to connect this music with rest and will unconsciously start to relax.

BE FLEXIBLE! The developmental stage of the child, medical issues and family culture will be influential as well temperament when providing nutrition and rest periods. It is important not to make nap and meal times a power play. Several problems arise when a child feels they have no power of resting and eating: sleep issues, food addictions and eating disorders. Make your life and child’s life better by understanding the role of temperament, development, and power issues.

Consider development. Infants up to 12 months should sleep and eat according to what their bodies tell them. Children 13 months to 2 ½ may need a morning and afternoon nap, especially if they are dropped off very early in the morning or were allowed to sleep in and come in later.  2 ½ to 4 years old usually need at least one nap a day. However, it is not uncommon for some children to give up napping during this age span. The respectful, responsive caregiver will consider this and when possible make accommodations.

Set out sleeping areas according to temperament. Put the flexible and fearful children in one area. Fearful children often find it comforting to hold a soft toy or blanket from home with their parent's scent on it while they go to sleep. Put ALL of the difficult nappers in another area, try to put them all in a space that is somewhat blocked off. The flexible and fearful children will usually settle down quicker leaving you free to work your magic on the difficult sleepers. Read them stories, sing quiet songs, use soft voices and lots of positive reinforcement. Never leave this area until they are all sleeping, or you are ready to move non-nappers to a quiet area. Be consistent, patient and kind at all times. It is sometimes helpful to give these children a backpack from home with a stuffed animal or special book to help them settle.

When presenting meals make it fun, sit with the children, and eat what they eat. Never try to force a child to eat, or eat everything on their plate. Flexible children will probably eat it, just to go along which is not necessarily a good thing. Fearful children may cry or throw up. Feisty children may break down and begin tossing plates. Relax; let them eat what they want. No child will starve if they are given food options throughout the day. The guidelines say to prepare and present certain foods, and amounts. It does not say force them to eat it.