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This is the first stage in Erikson's Development Theory. This stage starts at birth and lasts until 18 months. According to Erikson, the critical element in developing trust is sensitive, responsive, consistent caregiving. This the most important stage in a person's life. At this time, is when children learn to trust their caregivers. I spoke with my mom about this assignment, and she told me that she and I would nap together every day while my older siblings were in school. My mom was a stay-at-home mom and she spent her days caring for me and cuddling me. I learned that I could trust my mom because she was always there taking care of me.

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This is the second stage of Erikson's Development Theory. This stage begins at 18 months and ends around 2-3 years old. According to Erikson, the strength that emerges during this stage is will. As children are better able to make their wishes understood, they become more powerful and independent. This is the stage where children seek independence and begin to want to do things for themselves. I was told that when I was around two years old, I wanted to put my own shoes on without any help. Even if that meant they were on the wrong feet. Still, my parents encouraged me and praised me for simply putting my own shoes on. I wanted to be independent and I was confident in myself.

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The need to deal with conflicting feelings about the self is at the heart of the third stage of psychosocial development identified by Erik Erikson (1950). This stage happens between the ages of 3-5. For most children, this is the preschool age. This is the stage where children learn how to receive instruction, learn limits, and learn what they can control in the world. Children are also learning about what actions will give them positive results and what action will give them negative results. Parents should teach children limits and how to problem solve. I can remember very clearly being around three years old, and attending Heritage Christian Preschool. I remember there was an incentive for good behavior. If you had good behavior, at the end of the day you would get to go inside this little playhouse and pick a piece of candy from a candy bowl. This was a big learning experience for me as a child as I learned that good behavior produces good results.

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According to Erikson (1998), a major determinant of self-esteem is children’s view of their capacity for productive work, which develops in his fourth stage of psychosocial development: industry versus inferiority. This stage happens between the ages of 6-11, the Elementary school age. An important event in this stage is when the child goes to school. They are no longer just interacting with their immediate family and close friends, but their social life is expanding because they are now in school and meeting lots of new people. Children form self-concept during this stage. Children also develop a sense of pride in the things they do. Some examples of what children can be proud of during this stage are; learning to tie their shoes, getting a good grade, and receiving an award. During this stage in my life, I flourished. I loved school and I was a great student. I can remember running for Student Council and winning. I also remember winning the school Spelling Bee. I had a lot of friends at school and I would form close relationships with my teachers.

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The chief task of adolescence, said Erikson (1968), is to confront the crisis of identity versus identity confusion in order to become a unique adult with a coherent sense of self and a valued role in society. This is the fifth stage of Erikson's Development Theory. This stage happens between the ages of 12-18, the adolescent age. The term "identity crisis" comes from this stage. During this stage you are finding your identity and what you are going to do with your life. This stage was tough for me as an adolescent. I was still healing from the trauma of my parents' divorce and I was seeking acceptance and validation from the wrong group of people. I would say I definitely had an identity crisis, I did not know where I belonged. These feelings lead me down a dark path for a while.

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This is the sixth stage of Erikson's Development Theory. This stage is considered young adulthood, it starts at age 19 and goes until the age of 40. This is the stage where you start to have feelings of intimacy. Intimacy involves the ability to be open and share yourself with others, as well as the willingness to commit to relationships and make personal sacrifices for the sake of these relationships. If someone does not have intimacy with another, they will in turn feel alone. This is the stage where most people find their mate. In 2004, I married my husband. We had dated for four years before making the commitment. I was excited to marry him and commit to him for the rest of my life. I was embracing intimacy.

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This is the seventh stage of Erikson's Development Theory. This stage is during middle adulthood, starting at the age of 40 and going to the age of 65. If individuals feel they are making valuable contributions to the world, for instance, through raising children or contributing to positive changes in society, they will feel a sense of generativity. When you are in this stage you feel the need to take care of others. You are always looking out for the people that are close to you. You feel the need to pass on what you have learned throughout the years to the younger generations. If individuals feel they are not making a positive impact or are not involved in productive or creative tasks, they may experience stagnation. If you do not meet the need to take care of others, you may have feelings of bitterness and unhappiness. I am in this stage now and I would say that I am experiencing generativity. I am still raising 4 of my 5 children, I work at a school where I am daily pouring into the lives of children. I am very happy with life and I enjoy giving out to others and I take opportunities to do for others.

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This is the eighth stage of Erikson's Development Theory. This stage is considered late adulthood, starting at age 65 and going until death. This is when adults reflect on the life they have experienced and hopefully have a sense of fulfillment. Adults who feel despair may have feelings of regret, bitterness, and disappointment with their life, and a fear of impending death. I have not reached this stage yet, but I would say based on the choices I make now and the close relationships I have with my family, I will not feel regret or disappointment when I look back on my life and how I spent it.