6 Child Development Theories

Psychosocial Development by Erik Erikson

"The sense of identity provides the ability to experience one's self as something that has continuity and sameness, and to act accordingly."



  • Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust
  • Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
  • Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt
  • Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority
  • Stage 5: Identity vs. Role Confusion
  • Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation
  • Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation
  • Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair

Attachment Theory by Bowlby

"The prosperity to make strong emotional bonds to particular individuals is a basic component of human nature."


    John Bowlby (1907-1990) the mind behind the groundbreaking theory is a British psychologist who was a psychoanalyst alike Freud. It has a very prominent impact on Child development even today as it is still being cited. He valued early childhood for the child's behavior and believed that mental health and behavioural problems lead back to early childhood.
    His theory is highly influenced by Lorenz's ethological theory which showed attachment was intrinsic (in young ducklings) and so beneficial to survival.

Psychosexual Development by Freud

  • Oral Stage
  • Anal Stage
  • Phallic Stage
  • Latent Stage
  • Genital Stage

Social Learning Theory by Bandura

Cognitive Development Theory by Piaget

  • Sensorimotor stage: Birth to two years
  • Preoperational stage: 2 to 7 years
  • Concrete operational stage: 7 to 11 years
  • Formal operational stage: ages 12 and up

Socio-Cognitive Development Theory by Vygotsky

July 03, 2023 / by / 0 Comments

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