Erik Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development Essay Example

and parents can be a supporting factor in fostering the positive resolution of each conflict. Stage one, Trust vs. Mistrust, involves the quality of care that an infant receives in the first year of life.

A responsive and nurturing environment will result in the development of trust. Conversely, an environment that is cold and neglectful can result in a child developing a sense of insecurity and mistrust. The conflict at this stage of development can help parents better understand why it is important to hold a baby and provide healthy, responsive care. Stage two, Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt, builds upon the trust that was developed in the first stage.

Spanning ages one year to three years old, the second stage is heavily influenced by the mastery of motor skills such as crawling, walking, talking, and the ability to feed themselves (Witt & Mossler, 2010). As children begin to explore their environment, and discover how they affect that environment, they can develop a sense of doubt in their abilities or they can discover a sense of confidence and independence. Parents and preschool teachers can be very influential during this stage of psychosocial development.

Creating learning experiences that allow children to explore interactions with objects and other people will help children to develop appropriate self-control. In the educational setting this involves providing children with clear and achievable guidelines for appropriate behavior, taking children on field trips, developing age appropriate lessons, and using teachable moments to guide children as they learn how to express themselves in a rapidly expanding world.

Stage three, Initiative vs. Guilt, involves building upon the autonomy acquired in the

second stage. Children in stage three are ages three to five years old. The children that embraced independence during the previous stage of development are more likely to show initiative as they try to gain control over their surroundings and the people therein (Witt & Mossler, 2010).

Parents and educators can once again positively guide their child through this stage of development by being encouraging and avoiding making children feel guilt when they assert themselves. Erik Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development can provide preschool educators and parents with insight into the conflicts that children face at different stages of their development. Educators and parents can then use this insight to design a learning environment that will foster the positive resolution of each psychological conflict.

Parents can provide their children opportunities to socialize with other adults and children and then use teachable moments within those situations to foster positive psychosocial development. Educators can foster socialization and self-control by taking children on planned and educational outings. Positive parenting styles, planned and purposeful learning experiences and an understanding of Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory of Development work in concert to put children on the path to positive development (Rathus, 2011).