Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Theory Comparison:
Eric Erikson believed in four stages of psychological and social
development in the lives of children, he assumed that family members are
the principal actors in childrens lives during the first three stages, but
teachers also play a significant role in helping young children (Effective
Practices in Early Childhood Education, Sue Bredekamp, page 107). I agree
with Erikson that family members and teachers play a significant role in a
childs development. I think that family teaching in children K-5th is the most
important teaching in a childs life during those ages. When you have both a
supportive teacher and family members learning is much easier for children.
Maslow is quite different from Erikson. Maslow believed a hierarchy of
human needs. The hierarchy is a pyramid depicting the relationship
between needs and goals. Physical needs; air, water food, shelter and sex,
Psychological safety and security, sense of belonging and love, self-esteem
and respect for others and self-actualization (Effective Practices in Early
Childhood Education, Sue Bredekamp, page 109). Maslow did not believe in
different stages for childhood, he believed this hierarchy of needs was for
any age and was in effect for your entire life. I think Maslows idea is very
interesting because it is completely different from most beliefs and ideas. I
do find this theory accurate because you have to take this pyramid step-bystep. In life we strive for self-actualization and Maslow confirms that not
everyone reaches this level.
Works Cited:
Effective Practices in Early Childhood Education. Sue Bredekamp. Pearson
Education Inc. 2014.