When I was pregnant, people said it would be six months or a year before my sone started to show some personality. Maybe I'm biased, but I swear he was throwing shade giving side eye since day one. Yet, children are always evolving and what was their favorite food last week is disgusting this week. Their personality can ebb and flow as well. If you're like me and are a bit curious about what type of person your child might become, there are some early signs your kid will be a social butterfly.
Of course, there's no right or wrong way for a child's personality to develop. And wallflowers and social butterflies are both uniquely wonderful in their own ways. But it's still fun to daydream about your child's future. I'm about as extroverted as they come whereas my husband is extremely introverted. So I often wonder who our son will take after the most, personality-wise.
Though parental instinct often trumps everything, there are some indicators which can shed some light and offer clues as to how your child's social life will take shape down the road. So check out these early signs that your kid will be a social butterfly.
1They're Zealous
Does the term "reckless abandon" ever come to mind when you're thinking about how to describe your child? As it turns out, an uninhibited personality is an early sign your child will be outgoing. According to a joint study about personality traits emerging in childhood, conducted by researchers at King's College London and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, confident children were characterized by their zealous approach. And confidence is key to being the social king or queen of your friend group.
2They Go With The Flow
If your kid rolls with the punches in life and doesn't seem to get too flustered by new experiences, you've probably got a social butterfly on your hands. Dr. Christopher S. Nave told Science Daily about his research at the University of California-Riverside, and said that, "children defined as coping easily and successfully with new situations tended, as middle-aged adults, to behave cheerfully and speak fluently."
3They're Not Easily Irritated
Now, this isn't to say that your future extrovert won't ever have a bad day, but they probably won't be as fussy as others. According to Parents, a less sensitive baby is more likely be the life of the party in any social situation.
4They've Got Routines
It may sound like a fiber commercial, but are your child's biological functions occur with good regularity? If your kid has a pretty solid eat, sleep, potty, and repeat routine, they might just be on the path to extroversion. Dr. Diane Weiss, a child development specialist, told The Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota, that a positive or outgoing child, "is easily toilet trained, learns to sleep through the night, and has regular feeding and nap routines."
5They Thrive On Interactions
For my son, the whole "stranger danger" concept means nothing to him, despite my many warnings, because everyone he sees is a potential new friend in his mind. According to the experts at Parenting, if your baby smiles at just about anyone, you have a social butterfly.
6They Get Energy From The Outside World
Does your child get amped the minute you mention you're going to the mall? Do they get super stoked about any and all experiences? If so, then they are probably extroverted. According to the experts at The Baby Sleep Site, "an extroverted child gains energy from the people and action around them." Watch out for crashes, though. Just like a sugar high, when their social buzz wears off, they may need a nap ASAP.
7They're Quiet Newborns
When you think of a social butterfly, you probably picture someone how is boisterous and talkative. However, outgoing folks didn't always start out that way. Dr. Linda Acredolo, co-founder of Baby Signs, Inc., told Parents, "newborns don't have the capacity to express positive emotions other than by looking peaceful." So if your infant quietly stares at you, they're probably happy and just don't know how to say it yet.
