Psychosocial Development of a Child

Running head: PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 1
Psychosocial Development of a Child
Student’s Name
Professor’s Name
Institution Affiliation
Date

PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 2
Introduction
The age group between 2-5 years also known to be the pre-school years is the
developmental stage through which children develop from awkward toddlers to active
discoverers of their world. During this stage, a child develops and gains skills at his/her own
pace. Some skills develop ahead of others like motor may develop prior to sensory.
Understanding this development stage can help one to identify problems earlier and be in a
position to know more about his or her child. Frequent medical checkups for a child at the age of
2-5 years is recommendable in order to ensure that the child is growing and developing to the
best expectations. The parent or caretaker can assist the child at this development stage by
showing affection and love, offering healthy foods and teaching skills.
Psychosocial development
Psychosocial development is a continuous interaction process between the child and his
or her environment. A child undergoes psychosocial development stages from infancy to
adulthood which involves personality development and acquisition of skills and social attitudes
(Newman & Newman, 2017). Psychosocial development in children is mainly influenced by
physical growth and the environment. Brain and body transformation help in shaping children's
identity and their relationship with one another. Cognitive development is an important aspect
because it assists a child in acquiring the ability to solve problems. As in the case study, through
interaction Julie is able to communicate her needs effectively (Garbarino, 2017). The theory of
Erik Erikson is essential in understanding the psychosocial development stages. According to
Erikson, the features of understanding psychosocial development include; physical weakness and
strength, historical and cultural factors, the current development stage and life history. Erikson

PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 3
outlined eight stages that portray how children develop physically, increase brain functioning
and psychomotor control as they become more complex cognitively.
The cognitive and physical changes enable children to progress psychosocially, interact
effectively with other children and form independent identities. According to Erikson
psychosocial development starts at the stage of trust versus mistrust. During this stage a child
requires security and love from the parent or initial contacts in order to create a favorable self-
security and develop a sense of trust towards oneself and others. At the age of 1-3 years, there is
a psychosocial crisis of autonomy versus doubt and shame, at this stage the child develops a
sense of favorable self-concept through associations with friends and family members. The
implications of the psychosocial development become clear when a person shows unethical
behaviors in future that he or she could have solved during developmental stages. For example, a
child who adequately receives good toilet training at the age of 12 months to 3 years may
develop a favorable self-concept and a sense of self-recognition. Self-recognition assists the
child in identifying fully with peer mates, this enhances peer interactions and reduce
embarrassment from the age of 12-18 years. Since there is no embarrassment, the individual will
develop a sense of satisfaction and voluntary control of defecation and urination. Without proper
toilet training at an early age, a child may portray complications like mistrust, stingy, not
completely developing a sense of self-awareness or grow up to be rigid adults. Parents, peers and
social childcare play significant roles in the psychosocial development of a child. Through the
interaction with parents and peers, children learn aspects of life like language, problem-solving
skills and social-emotional skills. Through the association with the child, parents are also able to
detect abnormal behavior earlier, for example in the case study Victoria is able to detect that
Julie has not mastered the toilet training skills like her age mates. (McLeod, 2013)