The Infant Toddler Temperament Tool (IT3) was developed by the Center for Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation, an Innovation and Support Project funded by the Office of Head Start.
IT3 includes a short online survey that allows parents and caregivers of infants and toddlers to recognize and explore their own temperament traits, (i.e., characteristics or level of intensity), and those of the children in their care. The survey generates results which support parents and caregivers in understanding their temperament and how it may be a match or mismatch for a particular child. IT3 also offers simple best practice tips adults can use to foster the unique temperament of each child.
About Temperament
Introduction to Temperament
Temperament is an important feature of social and emotional health. There are three general types of temperaments and nine common temperament traits. Discover how they impact personality and behavior.
Temperament Traits Chart
Caregivers and parents have unique temperaments. Adult-child compatibility can affect the quality of their relationships. Use this chart to discover your traits and those of the children you work with.
IT3: More About This Tool
Use this tool to support the work of early childhood mental health consultants (ECMHs). Find helpful information as you work with parents and caregivers of children birth through 3 years of age.
Getting Started with the IT3 Tool
In this step-by-step training guide, find ways to help early childhood mental health consultants (ECMHs) walk parents and caregivers through the temperament traits activity.
Temperament Case Study for Use in Training
Learn how to observe and recognize children's temperament traits and determine if the child-caregiver relationship is a good fit. Find ways to match caregiving styles to best fit the child’s temperament. Use this case study in trainings with mental health consultants, education supervisors, and other early childhood staff.
Take the Infant Toddler Temperament Tool (IT3) Interactive Quiz
For Infants (birth to 18 months)
Parents and caregivers of infants can use this tool to rate themselves and their infant on the nine temperament traits. Identify the typical behavior that describes how you and your infant regularly behave.
For Toddlers (18 to 36 months)
Use this tool to help parents and caregivers of toddlers rate themselves and their toddlers on the nine temperament traits. Identify the typical behavior that describes how you and your toddler regularly behave.
Download the Infant Toddler Temperament Tool (IT3)
For Infants (birth to 18 months)
Review this booklet to discover what temperament is and what ‘goodness of fit’ means. Explore the dimensions of each temperament trait as it relates to infants birth to 18 months.
For Toddlers (18 to 36 months)
In this booklet, learn what temperament is and what ‘goodness of fit’ means. Explore the dimensions of each temperament trait as it relates to toddlers.
Read more:
Resource Type: Article
National Centers: Health, Behavioral Health, and Safety
Audience: Teachers and Caregivers
Last Updated: November 16, 2023