Children react to the world around them in unique ways. David Rettew’s “Child Temperament: How We Start to Become Ourselves” examines how children’s temperament affects their social interactions and their response to challenges. He focuses on the concept of “goodness of fit,” the idea that a child develops best when their environment and caregivers respond appropriately to their individual temperament, demonstrating that while temperament shapes how children naturally interact with others and face challenges, supportive and responsive environments play a crucial role in its development. By recognizing and respecting kids’ innate reactions, parents, guardians, and educators alike can facilitate environments that encourage their children’s  through healthy emotional growth.

Watch the video below to learn more!

Chelsey Ko 

UConn KIDS Research Assistant

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