{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"19. Understanding Children Through Erikson\u2019s First Stage of Development","description":"In today\u2019s episode, Brenda introduces Erikson\u2019s first stage of development, Trust vs. Mistrust, and explores how to understand a child\u2019s world beyond direct questions. This foundational stage, typically ranging from 0-18 months old, lays the groundwork for their entire emotional and cognitive development, making it essential to tune into behaviors and subtle cues rather than relying on verbal answers alone.   In Erikson\u2019s model, the first stage of development \u2014 Trust vs. Mistrust \u2014 is all about creating a safe and dependable environment for a child. When children sense that their caregivers and surroundings are trustworthy, they begin to feel secure and more willing to explore, learn, and engage with others.   For caregivers and therapists, understanding Trust vs. Mistrust in children involves careful observation and assessment, focusing on subtle behaviors that reveal the child\u2019s level of comfort, attachment, and sense of security.   Erikson\u2019s model provides a framework for understanding child development that\u2019s rooted in the idea of stages \u2014 each of which builds on the previous one. In the case of Trust vs. Mistrust, establishing trust is essential for all future growth.    The model isn\u2019t about specific therapeutic interventions, but rather a guide for observing developmental milestones and assessing whether a child is experiencing the security needed to reach them.    References Mentioned in this Episode: Lou Cozolino. (2024, 4th ed).  The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy: Healing the Social Brain (Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology).  Anna Freud. (1946). The Psycho-Analytical Treatment of Children. New York, NY: International Univ. Press. Erik Erikson\u2019s Stages of Psychosocial Development referenced in Freud and Beyond: A History of Modern Psychoanalytic Thought by Mitchell & Black (1995)   Bessel Van der Kolk (2015). The Body Keeps the Score.   ","author_name":"Connection Therapy","author_url":"https:\/\/connection-therapy.com","html":"