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Gabriels Timeline
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Initiative Vs. Guilt - Socialization in Preschool
My mom worked at my preschool, so I spent quite a bit of time outside of school, playing with my schoolmates and friends at the playground there. We had the autonomy to play and learn to interact in a friendly manner while still having supervision. This stage (4-5yo) is important as it builds confidence in social interactions through control of a child's own actions and environment. They learn autonomy through natural consequences. Conversely, if this fails, it can lead to a sense of guilt. -
Industry Vs. Inferiority - Entering Middle School and Early Life Accomplishments
During this time, I was becoming aware of the importance of friends and discovering the hobbies I enjoyed. As I entered middle school, I began learning to play violin and piano and was introduced to cross-country running and skiing as competitive sports. I enjoyed and excelled at all four. This stage (6-12yo) determines the confidence in a child based on the level of success they find in their social interactions and hobbies. Lack of success can lead to feelings of inferiority, however. -
Identity Vs. Role Confusion - Leaving Montana and Coming Back to Alaska to Pursue Fire
Post high school, I left my family and friends to go to Montana to discover myself and what I wanted to pursue in life. I did this to be away from my family and friends' influence. Ultimately, I decided to return to pursue fire and EMS, one of my passions. This stage (13-19yo) pits your identity as it stands against outside influences such as parents. People within this stage explore new ideas and experiences to develop a unique sense of self. Failure, however, can lead to a sense of confusion.