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Toddlerhood
Charlie liked to get his own cereal in the morning so his mom put his bowls and favorite cereal in a lower cabinet so he could reach them and 'make' his own breakfast. In Erikson's second stage autonomy vs shame and doubt children begin exploring some independence from their caregivers. Crisis comes about when toddlers are punished for branching out rather than rewarded. -
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Middle Childhood
Charlie practiced on the soccer pitch with his older brother all summer in preparation for his school's soccer tryouts in the fall. He thought he would make the team, but it turned out, the other boys trying out were bigger and faster than he was and better players. In Erikson's fourth stage of development, industry vs. inferiority, the crisis can occur when children become discouraged when they don't measure up to their peers achievements -
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Young Adult
All of Charlie's friends have 'settled down' and had children, but he is still single and unable to commit to one person, which makes him feel lonely, especially when he spends time with his married friends. Erikson's sixth stage of development, intimacy vs. isolation, the crisis happens when, as an adult, satisfying relationships are hard to cultivate and result in the absence of strong ties to another person.