Some scientists think of temperament as having two broad aspects: emotions, and the ability to control emotions. They use the term "reactivity" to describe the emotional response your baby has to a new situation, how long it takes them to respond, and the intensity of the response. Scientists also use the term "regulation" to refer to how a baby regulates their reactivity. Controlling personal emotions and reactions more systematically, also known as effortful control, is an extension of regulation that develops in the toddler and pre-school years.
Reactivity
Healthy four-month-old babies who react with intense distress and motor activity in response to unfamiliar situations are called high-reactive. About one-third of these children become quite fearful, timid, and shy as they get older. However, a few children who start out as high-reactive babies outgrow their shyness.
Babies who react with little distress and low levels of motor activity when exposed to unfamiliar situations are called low-reactive. These babies tend to grow into sociable, relatively fearless children. However, not all low-reactive babies become bold children.
The way that a child is nurtured can have an effect on their reactivity. For example, research indicates that orphans who are frightened and quiet at first can develop well if they are adopted by nurturing foster parents. With tender loving care, these children can become as emotionally vital as most other children their age.
In nurturing your own child, it is important to try and tailor your behaviours to accommodate your baby’s reactivity. For example, if your baby is highly reactive, try and remain calm when soothing them, and do not rock them too vigorously. If your baby is low-reactive, remember to offer them comfort and soothing, even when their reactions seem mild or low-key in a context of potential distress.
Regulation
As your baby gets older, they will learn to regulate their emotions. This means that they will start to show their emotions in a milder way. They will find ways to cope constructively with their feelings. For example, if they are fearful, they might not cry as intensely as they would have when they were younger.
You can help your baby to regulate their emotions by respecting their communication signals and responding in a soothing manner when they are distressed. Try to tone things down when they become overly excited.
Effortful control
Effortful control is a sophisticated part of temperament that develops as the baby gets older.
A child with good effortful control will think about a situation first instead of following their first natural reaction. If they can control their natural impulse to react, they can give themselves time to plan out their response and avoid making mistakes. These children are able to think of effective, efficient strategies for coping with situations.
Children with good effortful control can do things like the following:
- Delay: They can look at a candy displayed under a transparent cup without immediately reaching for it.
- Slowing of motor movement: They can draw a line slowly.
- Effortful attention: They can recognize small shapes hidden within a larger shape.
- Lowering the voice: They can lower their voice when necessary.
Children who develop the above characteristics tend to have fewer behaviour problems. Older children with good effortful control are high in empathy when they sense distress or discomfort in another person. They feel guilty when they think they have done something wrong or are contemplating potentially inappropriate behaviour. They are able to deal with anger verbally rather than through fighting. Effortful control is also important to the development of conscience, because children with good effortful control are able to empathize with what others are going through.