The nurse is visiting with the mother of a child age 20 months. The mother reports concern about the frequency of the toddler's loud outbursts of temper and saying no. The nurse recalls Erikson's theory about negativism and tells the mother which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Erikson's theory of negativism asserts that during the toddler stage, children become increasingly independent and become aware of their boundaries. The toddler resists the desire for independence because he is still dependent on others for help and care. The mother should be informed that this is a typical stage in development in which the toddler tries to gain control over his environment by refusing to do things, such as saying "no" and having loud outbursts. The nurse should reassure the mother that her toddler's behaviours are regular and a part of the process of learning how to become more self-sufficient.

The Nurse Is Visiting with the Mother of a Child