In which stage do children develop trust through reliable care?

The correct answer is Trust vs Mistrust, which is the first stage in Erik Erikson's psychosocial development theory. This stage occurs during infancy, roughly from birth to 18 months. During this critical period, children rely heavily on their caregivers for physical and emotional needs. When caregivers provide consistent care, affection, and reliability, infants develop a sense of trust in the world around them. This foundational sense of trust enables them to feel secure and hopeful about their environment and relationships as they grow older.

In contrast, if the care is inconsistent or neglectful, the child may develop mistrust towards caregivers and, by extension, the world. This can lead to difficulties in forming secure attachments in later life. Trust vs Mistrust sets the stage for later stages of development, where successful resolution builds on this core sense of security. Thus, this stage is essential for the emotional and social development of the child.