Temperament and Emotional Development Temperament refers to the basic style used by an individual in approaching and responding to people and situations.
Every child has a personal set of temperament characteristics that are evident at an early age.
Although temperament resists change, the expression of temperament can be modified by interactions with other people and events in a child's life. One of the most important characteristics of temperament is emotional reactivity. Emotional reactivity is how children vary in their mood and in their emotional responses to various situations. Some children show more joyful, friendly emotions, while others tend to express worry, anger, or fear. The amount of stimulation needed to bring out an emotional response is determined by the sensitivity of the child.