Research shows that kids from different countries have different temperaments. The study, which compared kids from the United States, Poland, South Korea and Chile, shows that those born in the US are not only more social but they enjoy activities that are highly stimulating. It is also easier to comfort them and they are less likely to get angry.
While Chile kids have difficult in concentrating on a specific task for long periods, the South Korean kids have the opposite temperament as they can stay in attention longer. On the other hand, Polish kids are more prone to getting lonely and are harder to comfort once they become upset.
Time said Washington University psychologist Maria Gartsein who is one of the authors, co-designed the study questions which asked mothers about the behavior of children. It featured around 200 behaviors exhibited by children at different stages which were categorized in 14 characteristics. The European Journal of Developmental Psychology published the study.
Parents often fall into the trap of classifying children into stereotypes but News Times said that Gartstein wanted to test the existence of the different temperaments of children which were most likely influenced by the values of their parents. Since negativity is not highly tolerated by American society, their children are often discouraged from expressing emotions that are negative.
Baby Centre said children usually sit alongside other kids while doing the same thing but they do not really make friends or play with children of the same age consciously. The skill of developing friendships develop when the child turns three. Some babies are genetically born shy but there is a way to help them cope with it.
The basic temperament of a child is also influenced by how the parents or caregivers react to them. Sensitive parenting can help transform a shy child into an outgoing one while abusive parenting can make a happy child withdrawn. Parents play a big role in forming the temperament of their children.
