Which Erickson's stage applies to toddlers who seek autonomy?

Which Erickson's stage applies to toddlers who seek autonomy?

• A. Trust vs Mistrust
• B. Initiation vs Guilt
• C. Autonomy vs Shame
• D. Industry vs Inferiority

Answer: (C)

Autonomy vs. Shame is the stage in which toddlers begin to assert independence and take control of their own actions. Around the ages when children are learning to do things by themselves, they want to dress, feed, and choose activities on their own. A caregiver who provides a safe environment, offers simple choices, and praises effort helps the child develop a sense of autonomy—the belief that they can act and make decisions. If guidance is overly critical or controlling, the child may feel shame or doubt about their abilities, which can dampen their willingness to explore. This stage is different from trust vs. mistrust, which is rooted in infancy and the reliability of care, and from initiative vs. guilt, which involves taking initiative during the preschool years, as well as industry vs. inferiority, which emerges later in school age.

Autonomy vs. Shame is the stage in which toddlers begin to assert independence and take control of their own actions. Around the ages when children are learning to do things by themselves, they want to dress, feed, and choose activities on their own. A caregiver who provides a safe environment, offers simple choices, and praises effort helps the child develop a sense of autonomy—the belief that they can act and make decisions. If guidance is overly critical or controlling, the child may feel shame or doubt about their abilities, which can dampen their willingness to explore. This stage is different from trust vs. mistrust, which is rooted in infancy and the reliability of care, and from initiative vs. guilt, which involves taking initiative during the preschool years, as well as industry vs. inferiority, which emerges later in school age.