What are you like?  You can probably tell where your toddler got his looks from. But just where did he get that personality? Well, its in his genes, and the right nurturing from you plays a big part, too.

Ask any mum what her toddler's personality is like and she'll be able to tell you without a doubt whether little Harry is laid back, like his dad, or prone to being a bit bossy, like mum.

Most toddlers display a confusing array of personality traits over the course of a day - mischievous when they're throwing toys, boisterous when they're letting off steam and sensitive when they're tired. But overall, you should be able to tell what your child's predominant personality trait is. What might not be so clear, however, is how to get the very best from him - so here's a rough guide.

Boisterous Ben
Where does he get all that energy from? He's up at dawn, singing, playing and tearing around. He won't lie down for a nap and keeps going until supper. You can't keep up with him. Before he's finished one game, he's on to the next, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.

Get the best from him
Don't be tempted to talk about his boisterousness in a negative way. Instead, give him the right opportunities to work off his excess energy.

• Install garden toys and equipment to encourage him to go outside more often.
• Take him to the park or local scenic spots with a football and a kite.
• Don't write off books because you're sure he won't concentrate - instead, build 10-15 minutes of reading time into every day or evening - even if you have to break it up.

Shy Sean
Visitors arrive and Sean takes refuge behind your leg where he clings on for dear life. Another child takes a toy straight out of his hand and Sean doesn't grab it back, instead he looks to you, lips quivering. He's clingy, too, and needs to know you're there.

Get the best from him
Did you know that it's normal for your toddler to go through clingy stages as he learns more about the big and uncertain world he lives in? So don't admonish him for wanting to be with you 24/7.

• Don't use the phrase 'he's shy' to people to explain your child's behaviour.
• Let him cling to you if that's what he wants to do - be there for him. Soon he'll let go and take a few tentative steps away from you. Knowing you're there will help him to feel secure.
• Build his confidence - tell him that the brick tower he created is fabulous and pin his drawings up in a prominent place so he knows you're proud of him.

Confident Chloe
There's no stopping her. She starts conversations with strangers in supermarket queues, tells an overweight woman she's fat and seems years ahead of her peers during playtime.

Get the best from her
Confidence is seen as a positive trait in toddlers, but other mums might look upon your child as tactless or thoughtless when she's playing with their less flamboyant little angel.

• Promote generosity and friendliness in your child. When she's old enough, teach her that it's nice to show another toddler how to dress a dolly.
• Discourage your little one from divulging family information to strangers in the supermarket, such as: 'We're going on holiday tomorrow'.

Bossy Becky
She can be a real little madam and because she's seen an older sister or mum show everyone the ropes, she does it, too. But she's still too young to understand fairness, so if she doesn't get her own way there could be a tantrum - watch out!

Get the best from her
No-one likes a bossy child, so at times you might have to intervene to teach Becky the right way to treat other children.

• Don't let her boss her younger, or older, siblings about. Make sure you're fair at home so that your bossy child doesn't always have her say, and the other child gets the blame.
• And don't let her boss you - kids, yes, even toddlers, can be very manipulative when they don't want their tea but would like some chocolate.

Mischievous Milly
When you turn your back, Milly has found some matches, opened and emptied a cupboard, sprinkled cereal on your sofa or smeared shaving foam on her face. To her it's fun - to you, it's a license to rant and rave.

Get the best from her
Most of Milly's mischievousness probably happens when your attention is elsewhere. She quickly learns that when she does something you label 'naughty', she gets your undivided attention again.

• Keep a close eye on her and don't leave her alone for long periods unsupervised.
• Make sure she learns how to tidy up her mess - turn it into a game if you have to.
• Take extra care with products around the home which you don't want her (or any toddler) to have access to.

Hot-tempered Harriet
You don't give in, or something doesn't quite go her way - then there's a silence as her lip quivers, her eyes fill with tears and the mother of all tantrums occurs. She flails her arms, kicks her legs, turns bright red, and horror of horror, screams the place down.

Get the best from her
Every toddler has the odd temper tantrum, but some toddlers have them more frequently - and they know that they're a highly effective way of ensuring they get what they want. If temper tantrums are a problem with your toddler, try the following:

• Don't give in, or you'll see a repeat performance. Keep calm.
• Be there for your toddler; make sure she doesn't hurt herself, and cuddle her close to calm her down.
• If you know that a temper tantrum is imminent, try a distraction technique. Either take her outside or to another room, or give her an object, toy, or book to hold.
• Talk about it afterwards, but not in a scolding way. You could say something like, 'There was no need for that, was there? You got all upset. Next time, tell Mummy what's upsetting you and we'll sort it out'.

Easy-going Eleanor
She's calm and collected, plays nicely with other kids and doesn't cause you any anxiety. But you worry other kids might trample over her easy-going nature and take advantage.

Get the best from her
Try to:

• Teach her about playing fairly, then she'll realise she has a place in the goings-on too.
• Take advantage of her laid-back nature by investing time and energy reading to her and chatting with her to encourage her literacy skills.
• Encourage a wide circle of playmates with different temperaments, so her friends aren't all more outspoken and/or boisterous than her.