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This stage of development occurs from birth until a little after the child's first birthday. Around 18 months to be exact. This stage could be one of the very most important stages, as it will define how the child sees the world around them for the rest of their life. Children in this stage are dependent on their parents or caregivers for everything, as they are completely helpless. This goes for not only physical care but also love as well. Providing these basic needs will teach the child that they can trust you, and will begin developing feelings of security and safety as they begin to take on the world. According to our text on page 13, "People need to trust the world and the people in it, but they also need to earn some mistrust to protect themselves from danger". During this stage in my life, I developed trust in my parents and other caregivers because they would pick me up when I cried, and they would do their best to figure out what need I was needing to be fulfilled.

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This milestone picks up around 18 months of age until about 3 years of age. According to our text, on page 13, "The critical theme is autonomy, or a sense of agency and independence. A child who first successfully developed a sense of trust would be in a particularly good position to develop this strength". During this stage, toddlers start to assert independence. They realize they can begin to do things for themselves, and they are good at insisting on doing it themselves. This stage is the beginning step of building their self-esteem. When they feel like those around them have their backs, they are more likely to want to try new things and develop new skills. They need to be given the freedom to make their own choices in order to believe in themselves and be secure in their abilities. At this stage in my life, I believe I ended up with autonomy. My mom has told many stories about how insistent I was to dress myself, feed myself, pick out my own clothing, put my own shoes on, etc. I also potty trained very early because of watching the children my mom babysat at the time. I wanted to be just like them, and she said I often exuded the "if they can do it, I can do it better" mindset.

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This stage occurs in life during the ages of 3-6 years old. According to our text, on page 210, "The need to deal with conflicting feelings about the self is at the heart of the third stage of psychosocial development". During this stage, the child is beginning to interact more socially and plays with others. In doing so, they learn that they can take initiative and control what happens. It is important to allow your child adequate time to play and explore their thoughts. Endless questions may begin to arise from the child, but parents need to remember this is the only way the child learns about the world in which they live. Children who are encouraged in doing what they want to do develop a sense of purpose. Children who are held back, or constantly made to feel as though they are a burden will develop guilt and fear of punishment for being themselves and trying to learn. My mom has said that I was a never-ending list of questions. She joked when we were talking about this stage of my life, that "why" must've been the only word I knew for a while. I remember being very inquisitive about everything and everyone. I had a deep desire to learn how everything worked, and I was encouraged to figure it out. Sometimes on my own, sometimes with help. On the flip side of that, I was often so inquisitive that I would do things I knew I wasn't supposed to be doing and would get caught. This led to minor punishments helping me to learn right from wrong. Overall, I feel like I definitely came out on the Initiative side of the spectrum.

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This stage of development occurs from ages 6-12 years old. According to our text, on page 276, "If children are unable to obtain the praise of others or lack motivation and self-esteem, they may develop a feeling of low self-worth and thus develop a sense of inferiority". During this time, the child's circle of influence widens. They begin to compare themselves to others and try to find areas they are succeeding. If a child is struggling in one area, their parents should focus on the areas in which they do well in. When a child feels successful, they feel industrious and want to set goals for themselves. However, if the child has multiple negative experiences or if they feel like society is too demanding, they can begin to feel inferior. I remember having many feelings of being inferior during this time in my life. I have always battled low self-esteem and maybe this is why. I remember being praised for the things I did well in, but I also remember wondering why I wasn't good at the things other kids my age were. I would say overall I ended up industrious, as I was consistently praised for a job well done. However, there is a part of me that questions if I didn't hold onto some inferiority as well.

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This developmental stage occurs from ages 12-18 years old. According to our text, on page 336, "Identity forms as young people resolve three major issues: the choice of an occupation, the adoption of values to live by, and the development of a satisfying sexual identity". This is the biggest chunk of our adolescent years. These are the years we are really figuring out who we are, and what our beliefs are. This is our time to explore different roles and different identities. We experience our first set of identity crises trying to figure ourselves out and how we fit into society. If we are allowed to explore freely, we develop a sense of identity. If we are forced to conform to the beliefs of others, we become confused. I remember going through a large "tom-boy" phase in life. I was in the middle of two brothers and the majority of my friends were male. I played basketball, and you wouldn't catch me dead in a dress or a skirt. My family allowed me to express my own identity in the way I dressed, the sports I played, the way I chose to cut and style my hair, etc. I eventually outgrew that phase in my life and became very girly. I was never discouraged or told I had to do things a different way that maybe society would be happier with. I was fully allowed to discovery my own identity instead of developing confusion about who I was.

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This life stage occurs between ages 18 and 40 years old. This is the stage I am currently in. According to our text, on page 13, during this stage "A person seeks to make commitments to others or may suffer from isolation and self-absorption". During this stage, people who were able to develop a strong sense of identity now start wanting to share their lives with someone else. Our goal in life now is to build lifelong loving relationships in which we feel safe. If we were unsuccessful in developing a strong sense of identity, we struggle to form committed relationships. If we lack the security of a relationship we are more likely to feel lonely and develop depression. I waited a very long time to get married. I wanted to know for sure that I was ready, and so I was 32 when I finally got married. Prior to getting married, I did struggle with feeling lonely and found love in all the wrong places. I can happily say I will end this stage with intimacy!

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This stage of development happens from around age 40 until 65 years old. According to our text, on page 13, "Mature adults are concerned with establishing and guiding the next generation or else feels personal impoverishment". Here we are driven by a need to give to others. This could be at home with our family or children, at work, or out in the community. Overall, we want to do well and be productive in life. Those who complete this stage successfully, have the satisfaction of knowing they were needed. I have not yet reached this stage in life, and sometimes I fear I will develop stagnation because I am unable to have children. However, I have learned that you can develop generativity in other ways. I have a bunch of nieces and nephews that I have helped to guide, and going into teaching I know I'm helping the future generations of children to come.

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This final stage of development occurs from 65 years old until death. According to our text, on page 13, "Elderly person achieves acceptance of own life, allowing acceptance of death, or else despairs over inability to relive life". Here, we spend our time reflecting on the life we lived. As life slows down, we begin to assess all that we achieved. If we are proud of the life we lived, and the accomplishments we had, we develop genuine satisfaction. However, if we failed to achieve the previous life stage goals, we could feel a sense of regret. I hope to achieve integrity when the time comes. I am working hard to build a life that I will be proud of when I reach this stage. I don't want to live or die with any regrets so I'm living life to the fullest now!