The Preschool child : The Best Perspective
Many researchers describe the emerging independence of the young pre-schooler as a function of the psychosocial crisis of “autonomy” vs. “shame and doubt”, which occur at about age. Secondly they theorize that if the child develops a healthy attitude toward being independent, the child acquires a sense of autonomy and gradually becomes self-sufficient. If, on other hand, the child is made to feel that all the independent efforts are wrong, then shame and self-doubt develop instead of autonomy.
Children can be extremely obstinate when they are making their first bid for autonomy. They want to do things for themselves, and in their own way, often frustrating their parents and taxing their patience to the limit. Although the negativism of the young pre-schooler often results in difficulties, rather stormy relationship between the child and the parents, it is negatively short-lived, as the child eventually learns what can and cannot do by himself, and the parents come to feel comfortable in letting the child assume greater self-reliance. The tasks of the parents in this regard are by no means easy. They must recognize the child’s innate motivation toward independence and foster in the child a sense of pride all the independent accomplishments by letting the kid da as much as it is capable of doing.
At the same time, however, the parents must also monitor the child’s activities and impose limits on the child’s behavior, so that the kid will acquire an understanding of what can and cannot do. Once the child acquires a firm sense of what is allowed to do, the kid moves on the next psychosocial crisis- “initiative” vs. “guilt”. During this stage, the child between the age of 3 and 6 gains increasing confidence as the kid discovers ways to pursue activities on own initiative. If such initiatives are successful, the child enjoys the accomplishments and acquires a sense of direction and purpose. However, the parents are at times too demanding of a child this age, expecting the kid to be able to perform tasks well.
When parents are extremely demanding of the child or when they are too ridge, preventing the child from trying to learn to accomplish tasks on its own, the child will be overwhelmed be feelings of guilt which may inhibit any further attempts in pursuing initiative.
All the description of the preschool child is admittedly theoretical, but it provides a useful framework for understanding the emergence and development of personality and the potential influence of parents and others on the child’s emerging personality. You should use this interesting information if you want the best development for your child.
