Latest Update 2026
By Erikson
Initiative vs guilt: a period of time where
children age 3-6 years (preschool)
experience conflict between
independence of actions and the
sometimes negative
consequences/results of those actions.
Initiative vs Guilt
initiative= the desire to act independently
VERSUS
guilt= the unintended consequences of these
actions
may lead to feelings of guilt or shame when
they fail to meet expectations or experience
punishment/ criticism
Self concept is one’s identity, view of self; a set
of beliefs one has about themselves as an
individual.
preschoolers self concept tends to be
not accurate, too optimistic, and
overestimates abilities.
preschoolers self concept is culturally bound:
Self concept/ View of self
collectivist view (East Asian): view
themselves as part of a large social
network in which they are responsible to
others.
individualistic view (Western):
emphasizes personal identity, focuses
on uniqueness of the individual.
, simple. repetitive activities typical of a 3 year old
child;
Example: pushing toy car across floor, jumping,
Functional Play
skipping;
being active/doing something active
rather than creating something.
a child manipulating objects to produce or build
something.
Example: building a Lego house or putting a
Constructive Play puzzle together.
Ultimate goal is to produce something
helps develop motor skills, cognitive
skills, problem solving, and cooperation.
children playing with similar toys and doing
similar activities but not interacting witch each
other.
Parallel Play
Ex: children drawing next to one another,
playing toy cars next to each other but not with
one another
Children watching other children play but not
Onlooker Play partaking or playing; don’t play themselves
Ex: Child watching another child play with legos
two or more children interacting with one
another by sharing toys/materials although they
do not do the same thing,
Associative Play Have their own separate goals
Ex: Two children building sharing blocks to build
their own legos, or sharing crayons to make
their own drawings Children
children genuinely play with one another, taking
turns, playing games, or devising contests
Cooperative Play Shared goal
Ex: children doing a racing contest, playing a
board game together
False belief Test Preschoolers are shown a doll named Maxi who
places a piece of chocolate in a cabinet. After
Maxi leaves, his mother comes and moves the