Children Temperament and Implications for Preschool Teachers

Temperament research in more complex aspects such as cognition, interaction with the context of the environment as well as changes and continuity over time across geographical and cultural boundaries has been explored. Temperament traditionally associated with biological factors inherited and plays an important role in children life. Temperament influences each response, especially during early childhood development and affects behavior, social relationships, personality, physical health, language ability and academic success. This article aims to offer early exposure on temperament and implications to the practice of preschool teachers. Discussions with behavioral responses diversity of children were initiated and followed up with definition on temperament from some researchers. Classification in temperament by the researchers was also discussed by focusing on three types of temperament namely extraversion/surgency, negative affective and effortful control. Temperamental assessment methods are also discussed. The discussion ended with the implications of the practice of preschool teachers. Knowledge and understanding of child's temperament help teachers to plan, offer and carry out more effective and meaningful teaching and learning activities for every child.