Paper summarises the results of a study which is a part of The European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood (ELSPAC). We analysed statements of women-expectant mothers (and mothers of sucklings and toddlers later on) about their beliefs and attitudes towards the education of small children. We focused on the relationship between mother's attitudes and the child's temperament. Child temperament was measured by the standardised Carey scales. The main finding is that the educational beliefs are most significantly influenced by the birth of a child, actual caring for the child, and the actual manifestations of the child's temperament.