Trust vs. Mistrust: Birth to 12 to 18 months
             The task in the stage of infancy is to develop trust without eliminating the capacity for mistrust. If the mother responds to the needs of the infant in a consistent and timely manner, the child is not overly upset by the need to wait for the satisfaction of his needs. The child will develop the feeling that the world is a safe place, and people are reliable and loving. If the proper balance is achieved the child will develop the virtue of hope, Even when things seem to be going wrong he will have optimism. This ability gets him through disappointments in love, career and other aspects in later life.
             Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt: 18 months to 3 years
             The task of the toddler is to achieve autonomy and to minimize Shame and Doubt. The child develops a sense of independence, self-control, and self-esteem when he is permitted to explore and manipulate his environment. If not allowed to explore, the child will doubt his abilities and feel very ashamed. He will give up assuming he cannot and should not act on his own. Even trying to help children do what they should learn to do for themselves, such as tying shoelaces, leads to shame and doubt. A proper balance of autonomy and shame leads to the virtue of WILL POWER or determination. This determination, when appropriately balanced with modesty, is a major contributor to success as an adult.
             The task of the preschooler is to learn initiative without too much guilt. The fantasy, curiosity, and imagination of the child should be encouraged because he is now capable of visualizing the future. This helps to develop initiative, the attempt to make the non-reality a reality. With the ability to make plans for the future also comes the feeling of being responsible for actions, the capacity for moral judgment and therefore, the feelings of guilt. An appropriate balance of the two qualities leads
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