Welcome one and all to the start of our series exploring Erik Erikson’s psychosocial stages of development. Each of the eight stages denotes a psychosocial conflict as a defining characteristic of personality development. As I am a play therapist, we will be applying Erikson’s concepts to aid in fostering your child’s brain and personality development to set them up for fulfillment across their lifespan.
Understanding the Infancy Stage
What better place to start than at the beginning? The infancy stage covers children from birth to 18 months old and focuses on meeting their basic needs. Each stage asks a question and this stage centers on, “Can I Trust the World?” Are the infant’s needs being met and is the result building trust or leading to mistrust? Because infants rely on others to care for them, they learn whether these individuals can be trusted in providing them with consistent sources of food, comfort, affection, and care. Conversely, if needs are not met, they learn the individual cannot be trusted. Over time, this can lead to feelings of frustration, withdrawal, or overall lack of confidence. Sustained neglect could severely affect their outlook on the world as they maintain a state of hypervigilance, caution, and anxiety.
Tips to Build Trust
Now that we understand the importance of trust, how do we aid in its development? It may seem like a no-brainer, but the solution is simple: care for your infant. If they are hungry, feed them. If they are upset, comfort them. When your baby is crying or reaching for you, show them that they are seen and heard. Play repetitive games like peek-a-boo to strengthen predictability and connection. Lastly, just as routine provides structure to your life, it also helps your baby anticipate what’s coming and feel more secure.
It’s important to note that there is such a thing as being too attuned. If you are hovering 24/7, you aren’t allowing your baby to experience manageable forms of frustration, which can prevent them from learning how to cope. Too much hovering can breed insecure attachments to their caregivers as well. Your nearby presence and reassurance will be enough to support them through brief, uncomfortable moments. Remember, building trust isn’t about being perfect – it is about being reliable and attuned to the child’s needs.
Supporting Parents
Building trust with your baby takes a considerable amount of energy, but never fear, I have you covered too! How you emotionally manage your highs and lows builds trust too! Babies learn from modeling. So if they see you take a deep, calming breath before having to pick up their pacifier for the twentieth time, they’re learning emotional regulation through you. Regulated parents help babies feel regulated too. If there is a moment of dysregulation, give yourself grace and self-care. Mistakes happen, but the more you beat yourself up, the less connected your baby will feel to you. Your day-to-day interactions will be more meaningful than the curated “perfect” moments. And at the end of this stage, your baby will have a secure answer to their question: Yes, my world can be trusted.
If you’re looking for support in navigating the challenges of parenthood, we’re here for you! The counselors at Tx Harmony Counseling are ready to help. Reach out to us at 832-352-1600 or click HERE. We look forward to walking alongside you on your journey.
