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reconcile these forces (favoring the first mentioned
attribute in the crisis), he or she emerges from the stage
with, for example, more trust than mistrust. If this occurs,
he or she carries the virtue of the ability to approach
relationships and life in a trusting manner into the
remaining life stages.

Erikson's Stages:
Birth - 18 months: Trust vs. Mistrust
18 months - 3 Autonomy vs. Shame
years: and Doubt
3- 5 years: Initiative vs. Guilt
6 through teens: Industry vs. Inferiority
Teens - 20's: Identity vs. Role
Confusion
20's- 40's: Intimacy vs. Isolation
40's - 60's: Generativity vs.
Stagnation
60's - beyond Ego Integrity vs. Despair
Children from 5- 7 years of age will span two
stages in this model: Initiative vs. Guilt and
Industry vs. Inferiority.

Initiative vs. Guilt
Around age three and continuing to age five, children assert
themselves more frequently. These are particularly lively,
rapid developing years in a child’s life.

During this period the primary feature involves the child
regularly interacting with other children at preschool.
Central to this stage is play, as it provides children with the
opportunity to explore their interpersonal skills through
initiating activities.