Anya is five years old, and she likes to help with jobs around the house. Tonight, when she was clearing the dishes from the table, she dropped a stack of plates and broke them all. Her father scolded her and told her that she could help more by staying out of the way and letting her older brothers clear the table. If her father's reaction is typical of the interactions she has with him, Erikson would suggest that Anya is likely to develop

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Erikson's theory suggests that children around Anya's age are in the "initiative vs. guilt" stage, where they begin to assert power and control over their environment through directing play and other social interactions. If Anya's attempts to help and take initiative are consistently met with scolding or negative feedback, she is likely to develop feelings of guilt over her actions and initiatives.

Anya Is Five Years Old, and She Likes to Help