Week Feb. 4 - Erikson

I’ve chosen the theorist Erikson because “the 8 stages of man” are applicable to almost every child unlike Freudian theory and Montessori whose populations were focused on either males/patients or Montessori's that looked at children who had learning disabilities. Erikson is very conflict based and believes that throughout the development of a child they are experiencing different conflicts at each stage that must be DEALT with while also requiring the help of parents/care providers in order to properly deal with each stage. With this being said, a suggestion for parents based on this theory is to be with there child where they are at, and not to try to insert themselves into stages they don’t belong in. For example, the child is very dependent on the parent between the stages 1-3, (trust vs. mistrust through initiative vs. guilt) therefore as a parent, it is important to be nurturing, trusting, and avoid giving shame to things that are NATURALLY occurring. Furthermore, knowing when your influence is no longer necessary as a parent is equally important. In order for your child to develop normally based on Erikson’s theory, in stages 4-8 the child must gain a sense of independence in order to mature and form healthy relationships outside of the family unit.

The second “nugget of wisdom” is that rather than making his theory a black and white model, he essentially says that these developmental stages are biologically normal and that parents have to trust these conflicts are crucial in healthy development. Based on this, advice to parents would simply be to use this as a guideline, and  avoid trying to tackle conflicts for there child, instead support them as they navigate these challenges by themselves.