Which developmental task is associated with preschool-age children?

Which developmental task is associated with preschool-age children?

• A. Trust versus mistrust
• B. Initiative versus guilt
• C. Industry versus inferiority
• D. Autonomy versus doubt and shame

Answer: (B)

Preschool-age children are in Erikson's stage of initiative versus guilt. In this period, roughly ages 3 to 6, kids increasingly want to lead activities, plan tasks, and try new things, especially through play and social interactions. When their initiatives are encouraged and successes are praised, they develop a sense of purpose and confidence in their ability to act. If their efforts are overly restricted or harshly criticized, they may feel guilty about trying to take the lead, which can curb exploration and risk-taking. This stage sits between infancy’s trust versus mistrust, toddler autonomy versus doubt and shame, and the school-age focus on industry versus inferiority, making initiative versus guilt the preschool-age task.

Preschool-age children are in Erikson's stage of initiative versus guilt. In this period, roughly ages 3 to 6, kids increasingly want to lead activities, plan tasks, and try new things, especially through play and social interactions. When their initiatives are encouraged and successes are praised, they develop a sense of purpose and confidence in their ability to act. If their efforts are overly restricted or harshly criticized, they may feel guilty about trying to take the lead, which can curb exploration and risk-taking. This stage sits between infancy’s trust versus mistrust, toddler autonomy versus doubt and shame, and the school-age focus on industry versus inferiority, making initiative versus guilt the preschool-age task.