The aim of this study was to analyze studies about the effect of temperament and gender on child development, from birth to school age. A systematic search was performed through PubMed, PsycInfo, Web of Science, LILACS and SciELO. The keywords temperament and gender or sex differences were used to identify empirical studies published between 2004 and April/ 2009. The results showed that studies about child sample with typical development, boys outperformed girls in the dimensions of Negative Emotionality, Impulsivity, Activity and Approaching Behavior, whereas girls outperformed boys in the dimensions of Fear, Cooperation and Positive Mood. Effortful Control was studied in children at biological and psychosocial risks where the girls outperformed boys. In conclusion, there were differences in temperament traits on developmental pathway of children from birth to school-age associated with gender variable.
temperament; gender differences; childhood