I have several anecdotal data points. Neither my 10 y/o niece or 15 y/o nephew seem to have changed much at all as they have grown older. She is still as sassy and outgoing as ever, while he’s always been something of an introvert. Me, I was pretty outgoing until 1st grade, when a number of negative experiences with both my peers and some incompetent teachers put me into a shell, which I only came out of 15 years later.
Of the students I’ve had which I’ve later met (like in the store or someplace, or when they come back for some remedial work), most of them seem pretty much the same. I had one girl who I first worked with when she was 11, and she was very giggly and silly, but seemed quite a bit more reserved when I met her 5 years later (but occasionally I’d see her former self peek out here and there).
How much have the kids you’ve known changed through the years? Is it true that the basic personality is pretty much formed by age 5-6? Or do you have stories of outgoing, happy middle schoolers who become introverted, sullen teens, and get into all sorts of trouble? [Attempting to avoid stereotypes here]
My daughter was a giggly, happy child who grew into a rather sullen teen. To give her credit, she is probably very different with her friends, but she has a much tougher exterior and outlook on life that I would have ever expected.
Our son used to have terrible temper tantrums between the ages of 18 months and 4 1/2. If we told him ‘no’ to a toy car in the grocery store, he would flip the hell out and would be unable to calm down. I can’t tell you how many stores we had to leave with a screaming, thrashing child tucked under my husband’s arm. He would also try to kick, bite, pinch… you name it. By the way, we didn’t spoil him or overly indulge him - that’s just the way his mind worked. He couldn’t control himself. Anyhow, he is now 14 and very quiet and self-contained. Go figure.
I think such change is to be expected and appreciated. For example, my 4 year old grandson climbs all over the furniture and jumps off the highest spots he can find, despite the best efforts of several adults to stop him. An adult wouldn’t do things like that. Well, Tom Cruise would, but that really just underscores my point.