Understanding Childhood Trauma Through Erikson's Stages of Development

This assignment analyzes Erikson's stages of development, focusing on how childhood trauma can impact an individual's life. The author reflects on the stages, particularly the trust versus mistrust stage, and its significance in early childhood experiences. The author also discusses the importance of parental support and understanding in helping children cope with traumatic experiences. The assignment provides a personal reflection on the author's own childhood and how they navigated the stages of development. It further explores the challenges faced by children in socializing and the significance of having someone they trust to share their problems with. The assignment references key literature, including Marcia (2016) and Zucchetto et al. (2019), to support the analysis.

Running Head: SUMMARY 1
Summary
Name
Institution

SUMMARY 2
In response to the eight stages of development by Erik Erikson, I would first appreciate his
hard work by taking his time to research on the eight stages of development. His research is very
important because the stages he has looked into are experienced in real life throughout the
development of human beings from childhood to adulthood. In the first stage of trust versus
mistrust, this is a stage where infants learn to trust adults, (Marcia, 2016). In addition to
Erikson’s research this is also a crucial stage that parents should take their time to know their
kids more than any other person because it is the best time to connect as a mother and a child.
When the children have begun to show their references, this is a perfect time for the parents to be
able to develop good morals in them so that as they grow up, they are able to make right
decisions on what they prefer. In general, the eight stages of development are of importance and
failure to go through a single stage might lead to some misunderstandings in the future.
In response to “understanding the childhood trauma”, most children normally go through
painful moments that when parents are not close to them, they are likely to suffer in silence,
(Zucchetto & Jacobs, 2019). The child that I am observing currently is a typical child who has a
problem in socializing with his peers. I always try to be close to him because I understand him.
The child has developed trust in me and that makes him share with me all his problems. Children
in general have different personalities, some find it easy to share their thoughts with others while
others find it a big deal to do so. My own development as a child was not that bad because I
passed through the childhood stages of development and now that I am at my 20s I still find it
easier to go about life because I understand myself, my strengths and weaknesses.

SUMMARY 3
REFERENCES
Marcia, J.E. (2016). Psychosocial Stages of Development (Erikson). Encyclopedia of
Personality and Individual Differences, 1-13.doi:10.1007/978-3-319-28099-8_1418-1
Zucchetto, J.E., Jacobs, S., & Johnson, L.V. (2019). Understanding the Paradox of Surviving
Childhood Trauma. Doi:10.4324/9781315173511