Child Development Blizzard Bag- Assignment: Read the following information about birth order, and then complete the following writing assignment. Write 1 paragraph about your birth order in your family. Compare your traits to what is listed. Feel free to research other sites as mentioned to find more information about your birth order. Write 1 paragraph stating what you think parents and caregivers should do to help their children depending on what their birth order is. For example, the middle child tends to feel neglected.
This is some of my info from the book: The Birth Order Book by Dr. Kevin Leman Birth order, Does it really make any sense? How can three or four or even eight little cubs be so different and yet come from the very same den? Personality Quiz: Which of the following sets of personality traits fits you the best? (Remember you don t have to be everything in a certain list of traits, Just pick the list that has the most items that seem to describe you and your way of operating in life. A. perfectionist, reliable, conscientious, list maker, well-organized, hard driving, natural leader, critical, serious, scholarly, logical, doesn t like surprises, loves computers. B. Mediator, compromising, diplomatic, avoids conflict, independent, loyal to peers, many friends, a maverick, secretive, unspoiled. C. Manipulative, charming, blames others, attention seeker, tenacious, people person, natural salesperson, precocious, engaging, affectionate, loves surprises. D. Little adult by age seven; very thorough; deliberate; high achiever; self-motivated; fearful; cautious; voracious reader; black and white thinker; uses very, extremely, exactly, a lot; can t bear to fail; has very high expectations for self; more comfortable with people who are older or younger. A It s a good bet you are a first born in your family. B chances are you are a middle child (second born of three children, or possibly third born of four) C likely you are the baby in the family. D describes the only child, (which is a super or extreme version of a first born)
Who is in what occupation? Statistics show that first borns often fill positions of high authority or achievement. Who s Who in America or American Men and Women in Science both contain a high percentage of first borns. Also a lot of Rhodes scholars and university professors. Presidents and pastors. 23 out of 41 presidents (56%) have been first borns or functional first borns. (Functional first borns are possibly the first born male even if they are the baby. All their older siblings may be girls. ) Pastors are predominantly first borns. Are more highly motivated. Accountants, bookkeepers, executive secretaries, engineers, and computer specialists. The first twenty-three American astronauts sent into outer space, twenty one were first borns and the other two were only children. Even Christa McAuliff, the teacher who died in the Challenger space shuttle crash of 1986 was a first born who had four siblings. Babies of the family are comedians. Eddie Murphy, Goldie Hawn, Billy Crystal, Joan Rivers, Leslie Nielsen, Danny DeVito, Drew Carey, Jim Carrey, Steve Martin, and Chevy Chase. Also, John Candy and Charlie Chaplin. Steve Martin is the baby of his family but he had an older sister which made him a first born son. Jay Leno star of Tonight Show is a baby. Entertainers that are first borns Clint Eastwood, Sylvester Stallone, Harrison Ford, Sean Connery tend to be macho leading men. Only children tend to be known for dramatic roles Robert DeNiro, Tommy Lee Jones, William Shatner, Robin Williams, Tony Randall. Newscasters and talk show hosts are often first borns and only children. Oprah Winfrey, Arsenio Hall, Sally Jessy Raphael, Rush Limbaugh.
What Makes first borns tick? Mom and Dad Oldest children serve as guinea pigs Everything about a first baby is important. Families usually overdo things with them. More pictures, more pushing, coaching, prodding, encouraging. Research shows that first borns walk and talk earlier than later borns. Basically learn from adults. Anything they do is a big deal. Middle Child Normal to feel left out, ignored, or insulted. Watches the first born and models after them, then branches off in a different direction. If first born is stronger, smarter, or bigger, may go for other strengths. Can either be a pleaser or an antagonizer. Anytime a second-born child enters the family, his life-style is determined by his perception of his older sibling. Never get their parents full attention. There is always an older and younger child to share attention with. Harder to predict their traits because it depends on how they perceive their older sibling. Usually are good mediators. Donald Trump is middle (fourth born out of five who looked above at two older sisters and a first-born big brother, but there was eight years between him and his brother so he has a lot of first born characteristics. Teenage middles often run with the pack give parents fits by hanging with the wrong crowd Likely to be the most faithful marriage partner. Do not have as many hang-ups or problems as first borns or only children
Last Borns Often love the limelight, typically outgoing charmers, affectionate, uncomplicated and sometimes a little absentminded Most likely to show up with something unzipped or unbuttoned Family Clown, carefree and vivacious a real people person, who is usually popular in spite of his clowning antics Sometimes develop an I ll show you attitude because the older kids got a greater response for first accomplishments and parents just take it for granted with this kid so they feel they have to do something bigger and better to get the approval. Many car salesmen are babies Like the Nike saying last borns just do it and worry about the repercussions later Traits: Charming, people oriented, tenacious, affectionate and engaging, uncomplicated, attention seeking Strengths: Likable, fun to be around, easy to talk to, read others well and know how to relate and work welll one on one or in small groups, won t take no for an answer, appear relaxed, genuine and trustworthy, no hidden agenda, entertaining and funny, know how to get noticed Weakness: Manipulative, even a little flaky, may come across as undisciplined prone to talk too much and too long, may talk a good game but doesn t always produce can be gullible easily taken advantage of make decisions based on feelings not thought. May appear self-centered unwilling to give others credit having a big ego, temperamental spoiled and impatient You may also want to look up Alfred Adler. He was the father of this study. Just Google Birth Order and you get a bunch.