When Do Babies’ Personalities Start Developing?

Are Newborns a Blank Slate?

For centuries, people underestimated newborns. The phrase that was popularly used, even by experts, was “tabula rasa,” meaning blank slate. In fact, it was only recently that neurobiologists began to let go of the idea that neural connections in an infant’s brain are slowly created from scratch, as they experience new sensory information and ideas. As any parent can tell you, though, it’s more complicated than that. Babies are born with temperaments and preferences, which is why some babies are “easier,” and others tend to be sensitive and fussier. Are they born with personalities? Not quite. Temperament is only part of a personality, and temperament determines whether a person is easygoing and adaptable, challenging and feisty, or cautious and fearful. There are many more elements that factor into the uniqueness that makes a person. When does all of this develop?

The Incredible Brain Growth of Early Life

Did you know that a newborn’s brain is only a quarter the size of an average adult brain? In the first year of life, that little brain doubles in size, and by the time a child is five years old, the brain has reached about 90 percent of its adult size. Interestingly, all of the brain cells are present at birth. What’s missing is the connections between these brain cells, and this is what is rapidly developing over those first five years. During these early years, the personality begins to emerge. There are essentially five facets to a personality.

• Extraversion is the measure of how outgoing or introverted someone is.
• Neuroticism describes how easily someone becomes moody.
• Openness relates to curiosity and willingness to try new things.
• Agreeableness measures kindness, empathy, and cooperation.
• Conscientiousness is a measure of responsibility and thoughtfulness.

Ages and Stages

What forms a person’s personality? Genetics play a role, but beliefs, values, emotions, thoughts, and behavior are largely formed by experiences. The way your child’s synapses develop, due to the experience he or she has in the first few years of life, has a lasting impact on personality. It is thought that there are five basic stages during childhood.

1. During infancy, from birth to 18 months, a baby learns to trust or distrust.
2. In early childhood, from 18 months to three years, a child begins to develop autonomy and gain independence.
3. Ages three to five years are considered middle childhood, and this is when children become more assertive in their independence, as well as forming relationships with other children.
4. In late childhood, from five to 12 years, children grow in confidence and develop new skills, striving to accomplish tasks and achieve goals.
5. Adolescence, from 12 to 18 years, is the time in which young people try to develop their own personal identity and place in society.

Promoting Brain Development and Positive Personality Traits

Throughout all of these stages, parents can help guide children and encourage positive development. From earliest childhood, parents who are responsive to their babies’ needs can help them grow into secure, confident people. To help your child reach his or her full potential, begin by creating a safe, loving environment, where warmth, love, and affection is shown, and the child is nurtured. Encourage children to play and explore, from infancy, and respond to their cues, to help them feel understood and valued. Give them some autonomy, even when they are young, allowing them to play independently for short periods and make simple choices, in order to help them grow in confidence and develop a strong sense of self. Finally, prioritize communication, talking to your baby to help promote language development, interacting to boost cognitive skills, and reading together, to introduce your little one to the wider world. As your child grows, continue to focus on creating a safe, loving, stimulating environment, and you will be amazed as you watch this little person’s personality unfold.

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