Many theorists are well known for their beliefs regarding childhood development. Sigmund Freud, Jean Piaget and Erik Erikson are three of the most recognized theorists of developmental stages from birth to adulthood. While many people may disagree with some of these theories, each theory of stages makes valid points that should be acknowledged.
Freud's Theory of Psychosexual Stages
Freud coined a theory of psychosocial stages with five stages of development from birth to adulthood. His teachings involve an idea that early childhood development is based on a constant struggle between a child's id and ego, and later between the id and the superego. The id represents a child's primal need for food and comfort, while the ego represents one's self. Later in childhood, the superego, or conscience, develops. According to Freud, a child's development is largely stressful and unpleasant, and proper development occurs only when a child successfully graduates to the next stage of development. Freud's theory teaches that failure to graduate to the next stage causes that individual to become fixated on the focus of that particular stage, whether it is oral, anal, phallic, latent or genital.
Piaget's Cognitive Development Stages
Piaget's thoughts on childhood development differed from those of Freud. Piaget reasoned that a child's development takes place in four distinct stages, each stage covering a span of several years. The sensorimotor stage occurs at birth and lasts until about age 2. During this stage, a child learns to imitate and form his own thought patterns. Actions move from eflex to actions fueled by want. The preoperational stage, from age 2 to 7, involves language development, symbolic thinking and linear, logical thought. Ages 7 to 11 involve concrete operational development in which a child learns to solve problems on his own. Piaget's final stage of development occurs between ages 11 and 15, called formal operational development. In this stage, the child begins to develop socially and his thoughts concern his own identity.
Erikson's Developmental Stages
Perhaps one of the most widely accepted viewpoints regarding childhood development is that of Erikson. He takes a more detailed approach to developing through childhood. From birth to about 18 months of age, he teaches that children learn trust and mistrust. The next major stage of development is from 18 months to 3 years old. This stage develops self esteem as a child learns right from wrong and learns to become shameful when doing what his parents consider wrong. In the next stage -- initiative versus guilt, which occurs between age 3 and 5 -- a child learns about his role as a boy or girl. His relationship with his family is important in his development, and when he disappoints his parents, he feels guilty. Between ages 6 to 12, a child develops competence. He is more aware of social acceptance and self esteem develops. In the last stage of childhood, children become focused on developing a sense of self and wanting to be accepted by peers.
Considerations
While many theorists have popular ideas regarding childhood development, educating yourself about particular views can help you piece together the mystery of the developing human mind and body, and the relationship between the two. While no one theorist may be entirely correct on his theories, with an open mind, you can try to apply principles from each major theory in raising your child.
