What you need to know about
Type 3: The Determine Child
Primary Connection to the World: Physical
Primary Movement: Push forward and determine
Primary Need: To be challenged and have new experiences
with support of family
Often described as...
Adventurous, Assertive, Busy, Busy body, Competitive, Determined, Down to Earth, Energetic, Enterprising, Entrepreneurial, Feisty, Independent, Industrious, Into everything, Little tiger, Loud, Mind of their own, Mischievous, No nonsense, Outgoing, Passionate, Persistent, Practical, Quick, Rambunctious, Resourceful, Restless, Risk taker, Rowdy, Strong-willed, Swift, Take charge
Please don't use these negative labels...
Aggressive, Demanding, Hot-tempered, Over-reactive, Pushy, Wild
Type 3 Children need...
1. Physical activity
Are they getting outside enough? Are they engaged in physical activities that match their determined nature and help them express their physical connection to the world? Are you making the physical contact with them that they need from their family?
Type 3s like challenges. Telling them no is almost an invitation for them to think to themselves, "Oh yeah? Watch me!" Help them channel their determined energy into healthy, productive challenges that help them feel they can accomplish great things for their age.
Having something to do will keep your Type 3 child from saying frequently, "I'm bored. There is nothing to do." Projects without a lot of detail or lengthy learning curve to get them going are best. They can be worked on in short lengths of time. They can be projects that are not finished in one sitting, but can be returned to frequently to keep your Type 3 actively involved with something to do that they find interesting and challenging.
One of the primary reasons a Type 3 child likes projects is to create a result that they can admire and feel satisfied about. Make a big deal of their results and praise them for their hard work and efforts.
5. Encouragement to live true to who they are
Refer to the phrases in each of the development stages in earlier sections to continue to validate and encourage your Type 3 child to live true to their nature throughout all the phases of their childhood.
6. Time to do things with family
Type 3 children love to spend time with family in physical activities and challenges. Get out and enjoy something together.
Praise your Type 3 child's accomplishments and results. Tell them you are impressed and think they do a great job at their activities. Appreciate their get-it-done nature even if they could have taken more time in planning details or may have missed a few steps. Lead with praise and teach them later.
Attention is different from praise. You know your Type 3 is not getting enough attention when they start to do aggravating things that cause a negative reaction in others- that's a red flag that they just want to be noticed and interacted with more.
9. Don't sweat the small stuff
Decide today to let go of some of the frustration and focus on the dynamic action and confidence that your child expresses along with their passion for life when they are honoured and validated for who they are.
10. Avoid these phrases and judgements
- shush, you're too loud
- you shouldn't think so big
- just calm down, you're too much
- stop being so pushy
- I don't think you should try that
- when are you going to relax
- settle down
Tell me more...
Natural Gifts: Encouragement and results
Personality Traits: passionate and fiery
Thought and Feeling Processes: Quick and deliberate
Communication: Loud and forceful
Family Relationships: Love (and fight) with intensity
Friends and Social Settings: Natural Leaders
TImeliness: Going up to the last minute
Jobs & Chores: Focused on results
Money Management: Natural Entrepreneurs
Recreational Activities: Prefer competitive action
Learning Style: Hands-on works best
Classroom Behaviour: Need activity
Study Habits: Finish what they start
Challenges: Keeping up with them!
Payoff: Open to trying new things
Learning to Walk: On the move in the fastest way
Learning to Talk: Speaking when it serves
Toilet Training: Erratic success
Sleeping: Play hard, sleep hard
Starting School: Confident
Baby Sitting: Need physical goodbye
Dating: Active, practical approach
High School Experience: A lot going on
Driving: Possible over-confidence
- Baby 0 to 18 Months - Need to be validated for their active, reactive nature and to be supported in starting to explore and sense the world around them
- Toddler 18 Months to 3 Years - Need support in sensing, exploring and doing in the world
- Pre-school 3 to 6 Years - Coming into their own identity and power
- School Age 6 to 12 Years - Need to fit in, working with structure, knowing and learning
- High School 12 to 18 Years - Separating and creating independence from the family
Tuttle, C. (2012) The Child Whisperer Live Your Truth Press:USA pp. 161-226