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Personality development of your child

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Author Danina Kooijman
Published January 31, 2024

The pedagogical employee smiles when Lina opens her coat. This toddler's clothes are normally perfectly matched. But today it seems like one big mess. She is wearing floral pants with a sweater that doesn't match. She wears several bracelets, each with a different bright color. Her father explains the special choice of clothing when he comes to pick her up. “Lina wanted to pick out her own clothes this morning,” he explains.

Over the years, your child develops into a person with his or her own qualities, choices and decisions. Your child's personality development is also called the 'development of self'. It is important that your child gains self-confidence and dares to be himself. In this blog you can read how your child develops a self-image and how you can support him or her in this.

Your toddler wants to make his or her own choices; respond positively to this personality development

Is this situation recognisable? From the time your child is about 2 years old, he or she increasingly needs autonomy. Your child wants to take initiative and make their own choices. If you, as a parent, respond positively to the transition to independence, you give your child self-confidence. Just like Lina's father does in the above situation. If you do not respond positively to this transition to independence, you will naturally notice that frustration arises. For example, if you say that something is not allowed or not possible. Your child may react strongly at such a moment, because he or she still has difficulty regulating emotions at that age.

Personality development of your toddler; being the center of attention with something you are good at

As your child gets older, personality development continues to take place. This way, your child will find it more interesting to be the center of attention. Preferably with something he or she is good at. At that age, your child enjoys the things that go well for him or her and your child likes to show that. Soms, this causes jealousy or rivalry with other children in the group or with brothers or sisters. As a parent or caregiver, you can see how each child reacts and how the situation develops further. You can then guide this in such a way that every child has a good feeling about it.

During personality development from the age of 6, your child wants to find a place in the social world

From the time your child is 6 years old, it becomes more important what his or her role is in a group. Your child wants a place in the social world. If this is successful, your child will gain self-confidence. In addition, your child will look for his or her own identity; what am I good at? Your child starts to compare himself to others. While one child is good at sports, the other child beats everyone at chess. At Kibeo your child will receive support in finding his or her qualities and talents. Your child also learns here to appreciate others.

Your child needs a group to compare themselves to and to determine and change his or her behavior. In a group, for example, your child discovers whether others laugh very hard at a joke or whether he or she is being laughed at. Based on those reactions, your child adjusts his or her behavior. Therefore, offer your child a positive and relaxed atmosphere in which he or she is given the space to fail and try again without being judged. At Kibeo your child will receive a safe and relaxed environment.

Support your child in his or her personality development if he or she is insecure

Your child's personality development consists of different phases of life. During these different phases of life, your child develops a self-image. How do I feel? Certain or uncertain? How do I behave in a group? What am I good at? Or do I feel like I'm not good at anything? Give your child support if he or she is unsure. Below you can read how you can do that.

  • Be involved and give your child the feeling that he or she is not alone
  • Provide structure; When your child knows what situation he or she can expect, your child can prepare for it
  • Give your child honest and sincere compliments on the process and not just on the end product. For example: “You persevered so well when things didn't work out” instead of just “what a beautiful drawing”
  • Continue to appreciate and respect your child's choices and initiatives

Personality development in a safe environment at Kibeo

At Kibeo your child will search for his or her own self in a safe and relaxed environment. Here your child is given the space to develop a self-image and our pedagogical professionals support him or her in this. Discovering talents together; that gives a lot of self-confidence and fun!

Read more blogs and stories here or follow us Facebook and Instagram and see how children's personality development is supported at Kibeo!