How to Help Your Child Develop a Well-Rounded Personality

When you become a parent, your priorities change completely. Your child’s well-being becomes your focus. The responsibility of a parent is immense. However, even though parenting is challenging and exhausting, it is also fun and rewarding. There are few feelings as heart-warming as seeing your child’s personality take shape.

As a parent, you may wonder: am I doing enough to help my child reach his potential? Here is how you can help your child become a well-rounded person and live his best life.

Learn More About Your Child’s Personality

We are born with innate personality traits that remain stable throughout our lives. Various research studies in psychology have proven that common character traits are inborn. Examples are introversion, extroversion, empathy, curiosity, impulsiveness, and optimism. The Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) provides the most complex and detailed perspective onthe human personality, defining 16 unique personality types.

A person’s Myer-Briggs personality type says a lot about their natural strengths and weaknesses, behavioral patterns, thought processes, and needs. Although children’s personalities are in continuous transformation, some traits are evident from a very early age. You can determine your child’s personality type based on his hobbies, social interactions, energy level, or passions.

If you suspect your child is an ISTJ, reading about the ISTJ meaning can give you many clues about what your child may need to develop and refine his innate character strengths. However, a child’s personality is not fully-formed. The MBTI is a valuable resource, but it cannot incorporate the complexity of real-life child behavior and cognition.

Give Your Child the Chance to Explore His Interests

​Your child will develop a well-rounded personality if he has the time and freedom to follow his curiosity, explore various interests, and discover his passions. So, give your child the chance to get familiar with different activities and environments.

If your child loves being active, introduce him to various sports and let him choose what athletic activity to pursue. If your child is creative, make sure he has an outlet for his creativity. Take him to concerts, art galleries, arts and crafts shops, or museums. Something will catch his attention. To discover their passions, children need to know as much about what’s out there as possible. Many high-achievers in various fields of human activity were first introduced to their fields as children, and theydiscovered their vocations early on as a result.

Doing various creative, social, or athletic activities together is an excellent opportunity to bond as a family and create lasting memories.

Encourage Your Child to Socialize

​Friendships are vital in childhood because children learn a lot from each other, including social skills, empathy, teamwork, communication, and even language. To help your child becomea well-rounded person with satisfying relationships and a healthy outlook on life, make sure to put a strong emphasis on social connections.

​Engage your child in social activities that match his level of energy. Introverted children have a weaker desire for socialization than extroverted children, but the need for belonging is equally strong. Let your child choose how social he is. However, make sure he maintains a balance between solitary play and companionship. Encourage him to keep in touch with his friends.

​Socializing helps children learn how to interact with people with vastly different personalities. Moreover, it teaches them how to share ideas, manage conflict, and get close to others. All these skills are vital later in life.

Treat Your Child as An Equal Partner in Conversations

​To become well-rounded people, children need to learn that their opinions matter, that they have the right to make decisions for themselves, and that their voices are considered. Children sense if they’re not being taken seriously, and this feeling can severely impact their self-confidence and self-esteem.

​Treating your child as an equal partner in conversations will help him build confidence. Never dismiss his questions without explanations. Show curiosity about his feelings, ideas, and opinions. These simple habits can make a real difference in how your child perceives himself. He needs to feel valued to gain the confidence to express himself. If it happens that you are too busy that day to socialise with your child, you can try having a quality nanny to look after them. 

Final Words

​Even though they cannot understand or communicate their needs or desires, children have intense feelings and preferences. Your child has a unique personality that cannot be changed but only cultivated and refined. You can assist him as he discovers his strengths and weaknesses. Your parenting choices should always consider your child’s individual needs. Parenting advice doesn’t always work precisely because children have very different personalities.

​Use the tips above to help your child become his best self.