# data[].attributes.body
Stage 1 of Erik Erikson's Psychosocial Development.  "In these early months, babies need to develop a balance between trust, which leads to forming intimate relationships, and mistrust, which enables them to protect themselves." pg. 152. In this stage, a child will learn that when they cry their parents/ caregiver will be trusted to come and care for them. In this stage, an infant learns trust versus mistrust, hoping for someone to care for them. This stage is from infancy to a year and a half.

My mom said that I was pretty content as an infant. I would cry when hungry or needing changed. She did remember one particular time when I was only 6 months old and had an ear infection and was incredibly fussy.

# data[].attributes.body
Stage 2, children start to learn independence and build confidence in being able to do some things on their own. "As children are better able to make their wishes understood, they become more powerful and independent." Pg. 156. The child may lack self-esteem and may try to lean rely on more assistance. This stage occurs between 18 months and 3 years old. The child should be picking out a toy to play with, walk, and make choices about what to eat and wear. At this age, they begin to have the will to do something on their own. The child begins to feel shame and doubt if struggling to complete a task.

I learned how to walk on my first birthday while on a family vacation in Florida. My mom said that I was so happy I was shrieking with happiness.

# data[].attributes.body
This stage is between 3 years and 5 years old. "Preschool children can do-and want to do- more and more." Pg. 174, par. 1. Children are full of questions and learn through play. They are usually interacting with other children at school and learn to be creative by engaging in activities. Children begin to feel secure and lead others to make choices. They learn guilt through parents/caregivers punishing them for bad choices or restricting them too much.

When I was in this stage I recall being 5 years old and doing something I shouldn't have. I remember my sister wouldn't let me play with her Barbie dolls and I was upset. When my sister went to take a shower, I snuck into her bedroom and took a black marker I had found, and wrote her name on the side of her wooden dresser. I do not know why this was my choice for getting back at her. It was obvious that I had written it and not her. She is five years older. I did get into trouble for making that choice.

# data[].attributes.body
Stage 4 occurs between ages 5 and 12 years of age. Children start to begin to read and write. " 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 industry, by contrast, involves learning how to work hard to achieve goals." Pg. 276. Children learn many new skills through teachers. A child's peer group will have a significant role in self-esteem. Accomplishments will allow children to feel pride. They will begin to feel competent and confident in their goals. Children will feel inferior if a parent/teacher restricts them from reaching their goals. Some failure helps the child develop proper skills, there needs to be a balance between failure and accomplishments.

As a child, I personally felt inferior throughout these years instead of feeling confident in my skill sets. When starting Kindergarten, I was the youngest in my class and did not pick up on reading and writing as quickly as others. Although I was never tested or diagnosed, I know that the struggle was with dyslexia and dyscalculia.  This is something that I had to teach myself not to flip my numbers and letters.  Sadly, I did not understand what was going on until my teen years.  I still struggle with this today and have to really take my time. I did not have much support at home when it came to my studies. Teachers would just say if she doesn't get it now she's just not going to. I went through most of my childhood feeling inadequate whenever it came to my studies. I had low self-esteem, feeling I could not learn the skills needed. I had a great peer group during childhood. To them my grades did not matter and they would try to encourage me as much as they could.

# data[].attributes.body
Stage 5, is the transition from adolescence to becoming an adult. "Fidelity also can mean identification with a set of values, an ideology, a religion, a political movement, a creative pursuit, or an ethnic group." Pg. 336. Between the ages of 12 years and 18 years old, children are now learning to be adults and take on new responsibilities. They will be deciding on a career path, housing, relationships, and family.  This is the stage where the child finds their place in this world. If they can not decide on relationships, careers, etc. then they may have an identity crisis. They must find their own identity and not be pressured into one.

I graduated at age 17, So I was already out of High school by this stage. I worked a full and part-time job. By age 20 I was having my first child. I decided to go to college and get my associate's degree in Business Marketing. Five years later I had another child. And then my 3rd child by age 28. I love my job working at the school with young children and decided I wanted to be a teacher instead of just a teacher's aide. So Here I am attending college, again. I will be 40 this year. I hate that it seems it's taken so many years to find my place in this career world. But I believe that I did finally build up my confidence in myself to know I can get through the classes needed to get my teaching degree. And I love that I can encourage my children more and be the support they need, which I did not have growing up.

# data[].attributes.body
Stage 6, consists of intimacy. They will learn to have longer commitments to work and in relationships. At this age, you learn to commit to something or you isolate yourself. If someone can find a relationship or career they are successful in then they will be happy. Success with this will lead to the virtue of love. If they Fear commitment they may isolate themselves and become depressed.

I worked a full and part-time job. By age 20 I was having my first child. I decided to go to college and get my associate's degree in Business Marketing. Five years later I had another child. And then my 3rd child by age 28. I love my job working at the school with young children and decided I wanted to be a teacher instead of just a teacher's aide. So Here I am attending college, again. I will be 40 this year. I hate that it seems it's taken so many years to find my place in this career world. But I believe that I did finally build up my confidence in myself to know I can get through the classes needed to get my teaching degree. And I love that I can encourage my children more and be the support they need, which I did not have growing up.

# data[].attributes.body
Stage 7, is all about being part of the big picture. This is where you make your mark on the world. This age is where you give back and feel a sense of accomplishment. When successful, it will lead to the virtue of care. If one does not feel involved in the community or even society, then one feels unproductive.

I have not reached this stage yet. My mindset for this age is to be successful at teaching and help make a difference in the lives of children.

# data[].attributes.body
The last stage in Erik Erikson's Psychosocial Development is the 8th stage. This stage is from 65 years and ends at death. During these years they contemplate their accomplishments to see if they lead a successful life. When getting older we tend to slow down and feel a sense of despair.

Toward the end of my life, I hope I can reflect on the different ways I was able to help children. I want to help children build up their life skills to prepare them for their future. I want to be remembered as not just a teacher that cared, but one who helped make them successful people.