Child Development Stage Calculator
Instantly determine a child's psychosocial developmental stage based on Erik Erikson's framework and get strategies for maintaining connection during separation.
Overview
Key Needs
Strategies for Connection
About
Understanding a child's psychosocial development is critical when navigating periods of separation or family transition. Children process absence differently depending on their cognitive and emotional maturity. This tool uses Erik Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development to identify the specific conflict a child is resolving at their current age. It calculates the exact age from the date of birth and maps it to one of eight developmental phases. The output includes specific behavioral indicators and actionable strategies for caregivers, foster guardians, or distant parents to support the child's emotional needs during that specific window.
Formulas
The calculation determines the precise chronological age in months and years to select the correct stage bucket.
Reference Data
| Stage | Age Range | Basic Conflict | Important Event | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 to 18 months | Trust vs. Mistrust | Feeding | Hope |
| 2 | 18 months to 3 years | Autonomy vs. Shame | Toilet Training | Will |
| 3 | 3 to 5 years | Initiative vs. Guilt | Exploration | Purpose |
| 4 | 5 to 12 years | Industry vs. Inferiority | School | Competence |
| 5 | 12 to 18 years | Identity vs. Role Confusion | Social Relationships | Fidelity |