Temperament – Regularity

Regularity

This is also known as Rhythmicity and refers to the level of predictability in a child’s biological functions such as waking, becoming tired, hunger and bowel movements. Does the child have a routine in their eating and sleeping habits or do they just seem to happen whenever? A child who is predictable will need to eat at 2pm everyday whereas a child who is less predictable will eat at sporadic times throughout the day.

 

Regularity

Predictable/Regular_________________________________Unpredictable/Sporadic

 

 

Tips for Managing the Extremes

For someone who demonstrates high predictability:

• Provide advance warning of changes in routine.

• Help them learn to handle changes to develop flexibility in behaviours.

 

For those with low predictability:

• Create routines, eg sit down with the family for dinner even if you are not hungry or go to bed at a regular time even if not sleepy.

• Reward successes, such as turning in a paper on time

 

 

Reference: Wikipedia

Photocredit: Nevin Taylor 2006