Psychological Development of a Child Assignment 2022

Running Head: PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT 1
Psychological Development of a Child
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PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT 2
Introduction
Children aged 2-5 years are in a stage that is also denoted as the pre-school stage; this
age-related period involves the child actively exploring his/her world. The pre-school years
involves the child gaining life related skills at their own speed. Certain children tend to gain
some skills like toilet training or sensory faster as compared to others. Effective understanding of
this developmental stage is crucial since it assists in early identification of problems and one
gains better understanding of the child better. Caretakers and parents ought to help the child
during this developmental stage by teaching some life skills, displaying love and affection, and
offering healthy foods.
Psychosocial Development
Psychosocial development involves the interaction that occurs between the child and
his/her environment. It comprises stages from childhood to adulthood which involves acquiring
social attitudes and skills and the development of the kid personality. The child’s environment
and the physical growth are the main factors that influence psychosocial development. Erik
Erikson theory is crucial in helping one to understand the phases of psychosocial development.
Conferring to Erik, the features for interpreting psychosocial advancement comprise of; life
history, physical weakness and strength, existing development stage and aspects of history and
culture. According to Erik Erikson there are eight stages that interpret how children progress
physically, intensify the functioning of the brain, exercise psychomotor control and develop to be
more complex cognitively (Lucas, Richter, & Daelmans, 2018). Conferring to the theory of Erik
Erikson psychosocial development initiates at the phase of trust and mistrust which occurs from
birth to 18 months, in the course of this stage a kid wants security and love in order to be able to

PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT 3
develop trust to other people and form a positive self-security. This stage greatly depends on the
love and security the child receives from initial contacts or parents (Jones & Waite-Stupiansky,
2017). After the trust versus mistrust stage at the age of 1-3 years the child progresses to the
phase of autonomy versus doubt and shame. Autonomy is the ability of the child to acts on
his/her own interest and values. The child association with the family members and friends
during this period of gaining autonomy assists the child in developing a form of positive self-
concept. During the preschool years the child is also able to initiates activities on their own
through playing and interaction. Being initiative is essential since it assists the child to think on
their own and able to take actions when necessary.
During psychosocial development, there is the changing of body and intellectual
capability which assists in shaping the child identity and relationship with other children.
Cognitive development of the child is a significant factor since it aids the child in the acquisition
of the capability to resolve life difficulties; for instance, in reference to the case scenario through
interaction Andrew is capable of commendably communicating his needs (Selman, Levitt &
Schultz, 2017). The physical and cognitive changes that occur to a child enable him/her to
interact efficiently with other kids, advance psychosocially, and practice self-determining
personalities. The importance of psychosocial development turns out to be vivid when a child
does not properly master certain developmental phases. For instance, a child who is sufficiently
trained on toileting between the age of 1-3 years develops a form of favorable self-concept and
self-recognition. Self-recognition assists a child to effectively identify and associate with fellow
peer mates thus enhancing peer interactions and minimize embarrassment at the age between 12
– 18 years (McAdams & Zapata-Gietl, 2015). Few cases of embarrassment of an individual at
this age assist one in developing voluntary control of urinating, defecation and self-satisfaction.