What lesson do children learn during the Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt stage (18 months to 3 years)?

During the Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt stage, which occurs from roughly 18 months to 3 years of age, children are in a crucial period of developing a sense of personal autonomy. This stage, as defined by Erik Erikson, emphasizes the child's emerging ability to assert independence and make choices.

The correct answer reflects the fundamental task of this developmental stage: children learn to make choices about their own lives, such as what to wear, what to eat, and how to engage with their environment. By successfully navigating this stage, children develop a sense of autonomy and self-confidence, whereas failure to achieve this can lead to feelings of shame and doubt about their abilities.

In contrast, the other options reflect concepts that do not align with the key developmental tasks of this stage. For instance, depending on others for needs does not foster the independence that is crucial during this period, while strict routines may actually inhibit children's ability to explore their autonomy and make personal decisions. Additionally, while exploration is an important aspect of early childhood development, the specific lessons learned in this stage focus more directly on choice-making rather than unstructured exploration.