Determining a child’s Myers-Briggs Type requires a balanced approach that considers both the potential benefits of understanding personality and the ultimate authority of Scripture in shaping our identity.
Every child is fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s image (Psalm 139:14), and every child possesses unique gifts, talents, and personality traits that reflect God’s creativity. While typing your child’s personality can offer insights into their natural inclinations, it’s important to remember that our child’s primary identity should be found in Christ, not in a particular MBTI type.
Personality tests such as the MBTI can provide helpful information that may help you better understand how your child engages with the world and identify your child’s areas of strength and potential weaknesses. However, exercise caution in labeling or limiting a child based on perceived type. It’s important to remember that children may change significantly as they grow, causing their personality types to appear different at different times. Instead of using personality tests to put your child in a category, use personality insights to understand and support their unique needs. Recognize that God may call them to grow beyond their natural preferences.
An alternative to taking the MBTI with your child is to simply observe them and use your knowledge of him or her to discern what his or her personality type likely is. Learn more about what the different components of the MBTI are here.
When considering a child’s personality type, observe their natural tendencies in various situations, especially at play. Do they seem energized by social interaction or prefer solitude? Are they more focused on concrete details or abstract concepts? Do they make decisions based on logic or emotions? Are they structured or spontaneous in their approach to tasks?
You may find it helpful to take and understand the MBTI test yourself, prior to administering it to your child, so you can better understand their results.
As you discover more about your child’s personality, focus on helping them understand their identity in Christ and their purpose in God’s kingdom. Remember that while personality assessments can be helpful, they are secondary to the Gospel’s transformative power in shaping our children’s lives.
As you guide your child, pray for wisdom and discernment. Trust that God, who began a good work in your child, will carry it on to completion (Philippians 1:6). Use what you discover about your child’s personality to help you understand how to encourage your child to serve God with all they are. Let your primary goal be to nurture your child’s relationship with Christ, allowing their personality to be a beautiful expression of God’s handiwork.
Free Unofficial MBTI Test:
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//www.psychologyjunkie.com/find-out-your-childs-unique-personality-type-questionnaire-included/
Chew On This: What are some things you already know about your child’s personality type? How does this help you to parent him or her?
