Understanding a child’s personality type is crucial in supporting their development, communication, and learning. Every child is unique, and recognising their individual traits can help parents and teachers nurture their strengths while addressing their challenges. By identifying personality types early, caregivers can tailor their approach to education, discipline, and social interactions, ensuring that children feel understood and supported. In South Africa, where diverse cultural influences shape upbringing and education, recognising personality differences can be especially beneficial in creating inclusive learning environments.

What are personalities & personality types?

A very long time ago, the philosopher Hippocrates started the world’s ever-evolving understating of personality types by suggesting that every person is made up of a combination of two overall types of temperament: hot or cold, and moist or dry. The combinations of these give us the basics of the four primary personality types that have evolved over time, and which are used today. These are: choleric, sanguine, melancholic, and phlegmatic.

While these do sound like they belong in a doctor’s journal of exotic illnesses, the characteristics of these broad personality types can point out characteristics that your child has. Of course, no two children are the same and their individuality includes many more factors than these groups.

However, many experts agree that the fundamental basics of the four personality types can help you understand the parts of your child’s personality that are simply out of their control. This can help you accept and nurture your child for who they are as a result.

The 4 Types of Kids Personalities

Looking at the four types of children’s personalities, remember that there are not just four types of people – many of us have traits that overlap the personality types, or identify with multiple traits instead of one over the other. When looking at your child’s personality, it’s about looking at the whole picture and what type your child more prominently fits into.

1. Choleric – the dominant child

• Strong-willed, passionate, outspoken, bold, determined, and competitive.
• These children are logical and analytical, extremely goal-oriented, and may not be particularly social.
• Daily routines and clear expectations are the way to go, as these children thrive on following directions and ‘winning’.

Read our detailed article of the choleric personality type.

2. Sanguine – the expressive child

• Imaginative, playful, social, talkative, and active.
• These are the carefree risk-takers; adventurous and optimistic kids who get bored easily, so you often need to keep them entertained.
• Strict routines will make this child feel constrained, so change things up every now and then.
• Offer your expressive child lots of cuddles and affection and shower them with praise.

Read our detailed article on sanguine children

3. Melancholic – the analytical child

• Detailed, innately respectful, private, tidy, and careful.
• These are the deep thinkers who can be a bit serious sometimes, rarely taking risks or seeking adventure. However, they enjoy being social and are helpful children.
• These children want to be spoken to like adults as they are mature, love learning, and enjoy being right.
• As a result, they hate being wrong and will need your support to work through these moments.

4. Phlegmatic – the loyal child

• Thoughtful, caring, attentive, non-confrontational, loyal.
• These children enjoy close relationships and peaceful surroundings.
• They love helping others and prefer predictable routines, lots of affection, and low-risk activities.

Read our detailed article on melancholic chidren here.

Signs of Different Personality Types in Children

Children display unique behaviours that can indicate their personality type. Some common personality distinctions include:

• Introverted vs Extroverted: Some children thrive in social settings and seek external stimulation, while others prefer solitude and engage in deep, independent thinking (Johnson, 2019).

• Logical vs Emotional: Certain children make decisions based on logic and rules, whereas others are more intuitive and empathetic, often prioritising emotions in their interactions (Morris, 2017). This is evident in South African schools, where subjects like Life Orientation encourage both structured reasoning and emotional intelligence.

• Structured vs Flexible: Organised children prefer routine and predictability, while flexible children adapt easily to new situations and enjoy spontaneity (Lee & Patterson, 2021). In South Africa’s evolving educational landscape, schools that incorporate inquiry-based learning, such as Crawford International, ensure that both structured and adaptable students thrive.



Methods for Determining Personality Types

Identifying a child’s personality type requires observation, reflection, and sometimes professional assessment. Some effective methods include:

• Parental and Teacher Observation: Watching how a child reacts in different settings can provide clues about their personality. Do they prefer solitary play or social interactions? Do they follow rules meticulously or question authority? (Williams, 2022).

• Personality Questionnaires: While formal tests like the MBTI are often used for adults, child-friendly personality assessments can help identify dominant traits (Harris & Clarke, 2019). Many private schools use such assessments to tailor learning strategies to individual students.

• Educational and Psychological Assessments: In cases where personality influences learning challenges, professionals may conduct in-depth evaluations to guide support strategies (Naidoo, 2021).

How Child Personality Influences Learning Styles

Personality plays a significant role in how children engage with education. Some key influences include:

• Introverted learners may excel in individual tasks but struggle with classroom participation. Teachers can support them by allowing alternative ways to express knowledge, such as written reflections (Peters, 2020).

• Extroverted learners benefit from interactive and discussion-based learning but may need guidance in focusing on independent tasks (Clarkson, 2018).

• Logical thinkers often excel in structured subjects like Mathematics but may need encouragement to explore creative expression (Ngcobo, 2019).

• Emotionally driven children engage deeply with literature and arts but may require help developing analytical skills (Mthembu, 2020).

In South Africa, the integration of digital education tools, such as those used at Crawford International, allows teachers to personalise learning experiences, ensuring that different personality types receive the support they need.

Parenting Strategies Tailored to Different Personality Types

Understanding a child’s personality type can guide parenting techniques. Some strategies include:

• For introverted children: Create a calm, quiet space for them to recharge after social interactions. Encourage deep conversations rather than forcing group activities (Miller, 2019).

• For extroverted children: Provide opportunities for social engagement, such as playdates and extracurricular activities, to help them thrive (Singh, 2021).

• For logical thinkers: Encourage structured activities like puzzles and problem-solving games while also exposing them to creative outlets (Jansen, 2018).

• For emotionally driven children: Validate their feelings and teach them emotional regulation strategies to balance empathy with resilience (Patel, 2020).

South African families often embrace a communal parenting approach, where extended relatives contribute to a child’s upbringing. Recognising personality types within this cultural framework can help caregivers provide consistent and effective support across different environments.

Recognising and understanding a child’s personality type is essential for fostering their academic and social development. By observing behaviours, using assessments, and tailoring teaching and parenting strategies, caregivers can help children navigate their strengths and challenges. In South Africa, where education is shaped by diverse cultural and social influences, a personalised approach to learning ensures that every child can thrive.