Erik Erikson’s Stages of Child Development

Erik Erikson presented eight stages of human development, which last throughout an entire life-span. Throughout each developmental stage, each developmental task presents a catastrophe for the individual. Erikson defined catastrophe as “a turning point of increased vulnerability and enhanced potential” (Santrock 73). Each of Erikson’s developmental stages is presented in such a way that the negatives and positives are clearly defined. Although there are eight developmental stages, five pertain to a child’s development.

The first stage, which occurs during the first year of life, is labeled as trust versus mistrust. Trust is developed when the caregiver is nurturing which gives the child a feel of comfort. When a child receives positive care giving, the child will then trust his or her caregiver, providing beneficial development. However, when a child does not receive positive care giving then mistrust develops. When a child reaches the ages of one to three years old, the stage the child experiences is autonomy versus shame and doubt. When a child or infant gains trust in his or her caregiver, they realize that their behavior is their own (cccc73). At this stage, infants are discovering and learning new concepts and tasks daily. Since learning and independence is important at this age, restraint by the parents can hinder development and cause the child to feel a sense of shame or doubt. As a child enters her or his preschool years, Erikson’s third stage becomes present which is initiative versus guilt. During this stage, children are developing socially and “need to engage in active, purposeful behavior that involves initiative” (Santrock 74). With a greater social world comes greater responsibility especially behavior ...

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...roblems with independence and self-control. Children raised in a neglectful setting are not motivated by achievement so academically they may suffer. Indulgent parenting is the final type of parenting, in which parents are extremely involved in a child’s life but few limitations are set into place. Due to very little limitation and great amounts of parental involvement a child is more apt to be creative and independent but suffers socially and lacks the ability to maintain self-control (78).

The types of parenting commonly used, influence students greatly in both positive and negative ways. Each parenting style has its drawbacks however a happy balance of involvement and control leads to a child that is socially competent and well-rounded.

Works Cited

Santrock, John W. Life-span Development. Twelve ed. Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2009. Print.