What are the characters of a Spirited Child?

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More than 20% of all babies born are spirited children. They have a fussy or high need temperament. Often they are called as "difficult child." A spirited child needs greater amount of TLC (Tender Loving Care) than normal children. The temperament of such children does not change as they grow up. Rather their behavior intensifies as they go through a number of developmental stages. Parents should not be considered responsible for such behavioral pattern. Often parents get frustrated. They may need professional help to make their spirited child eat, sleep, and stay healthy.

Who Coined The Term "Spirited Children"?

In 1965, Dr. Alexander Thomas, Stella Chess, and Herbert Birch conducted New York Longitudinal Study. 133 children were observed from infancy into adulthood. Their main aim was to identify various characteristics of these children as they grow into adults. Their study revealed nine traits or characteristics. These different behavioral patterns are present in every person in different intensity. However, spirited children tend to exhibit intense characteristics such as hyperactivity. They often face social challenges.

What Are the Characteristics of Spirited Babies?

A spirited child often displays the following characteristics:

• Have to be held constantly and demands a lot of attention during  day and night-time
• Do not have proper schedule of eating or toilet habits
• Have a tendency to cry without any cause
• Strongly react when forced to sleep.

What Are the Characteristics of Spirited Toddlers?

When a spirited child starts going to school some of difficult traits get intensified while some disappears permanently. Common traits include:

• Gets bored easily
• Wants to stay attached to parents
• Often a picky eater
• Wakes up unhappy
• Mood swings or cranky behavior
• Violent, intense tantrums that may last for several hours
• Active during play and sleep
• Prefers to follow regular routine
• Very determined and self-directed
• May dislike clothing blends
• May display temper tantrums
• Suffer from separation anxiety
• Wants to do everything themselves
• Often scream, vomit, hit or bang their head without purpose.

What Are the Characteristics of Spirited Teenagers?

When a spirited child grows into a teenager, he or she often displays the following traits:

• Do not get swayed away by peers
• Self directed
• May require lot of physical contact
• Prefers to make own decisions
• Can take own responsibility for ensuring proper food intake and adequate sleep.

How to Raise a Spirited Child? 

According to specialists, special identifiable traits of spirited children can be used to train and discipline them. Force and harsh treatment can never make them listen to their parents or relatives. Most therapists suggest 8 steps that can evolve a well disciplined child. These steps include leadership, relationship, prevention, structure, power, problem resolution, discipline and resources. According to these steps, the head of a family should act as a leader and respect all the younger ones. He should try to diffuse the triggering reasons that can spark off problematic behavior in the child. Trying to motivate rather than intimidate the child. It would help in developing more positive relationship with the child. Although certain disciplinary measures are important, try to avoid harsh rules and make a definite frame of discipline for him. It would be easier for him to follow. If you feel that you should take external help for raising a spirited child, you can opt for trained nurses who can assist you in raising him.

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