The 5 Stages of Moral Development in Children
Children go through moral development phases, but unlike physical growth, moral development requires parental involvement. A kid must be given a firm foundation at each stage of development in order to develop into a morally sound individual.
Stage 1 - Infancy
Children's moral development begins in infancy. Other than possessing a sense of rightness or wrongness as those sentiments pertain to himself, a child lacks the ability to moralize. A newborn enters the world after being nourished in the womb for nine months, anticipating that caring to continue. Baby, who has never been hungry, decides that hunger is bad; it hurts. Baby, who has never been left alone, believes that being alone is improper; it is frightening. Never out of touch, infants understand that being unresponsive is terrible. It feels good to be in-arms, at the breast, and reacted to! Baby believes she is the center of the universe and develops a sense of rightness that becomes her "norm."
Stage 2 - Toddlerhood
Children's awareness of "otherness" arises throughout this period of moral development. Toddlers understand that others share their environment and that they, too, have wants and rights. He is frustrated because the place he lives in has "rules" that he must learn to follow. The youngster lacks the ability to determine what is "right" or "wrong." He is entirely guided by what people say to him. This clashes with his own determination to achieve his goals. When a youngster strikes, he does not yet have the ability to recognize that he is injuring someone. Hitting is "wrong" either his parents say so or he is punished for it. The toddler learns obedience to adults based on how parents communicate the conduct they anticipate.
Stage 3 - Preschoolers (aged three to seven years)
A significant turning point in children's moral growth and development happens when the youngster begins to assimilate family values. What matters to his parents becomes significant to him. "In our family, we do..." the six-year-old may remark to a friend. These are the norms of the kid. Once these standards are ingrained in a child's self, the child's conduct may be guided by these inner principles — with periodic reminders and reinforcement from parents, of course.
Later in this stage of moral development, children begin to comprehend the Golden Rule notion and contemplate how their actions influence others, that others have rights and perspectives as well, and how to be compassionate. Children from three to seven expect wiser adults to take charge. They comprehend the "child" and "adult" roles and require maturity from the parent. They understand consequences and the when-then relationship: when I misbehave, this occurs. The linked youngster performs well because he has received favorable parental guidance for numerous years. The unattached child may believe, "Whatever I do is okay as long as I don't get caught."
Stage 4 — 7 to 10 Years
Children begin to doubt the authority of their parents and instructors. Perhaps the ones in power don't know everything. They have the highest regard for grownups who are fair and know how to be in charge. Authority is not intimidating to the youngster, but rather important for social interaction. Children, they feel, should obey their parents. Furthermore, school-age children feel that if they violate a rule, they should be punished. Some youngsters are predisposed to tattle because they have a strong sense of "should do" and "should not do."
Children aged seven to ten years old have a strong sense of justice, understand the need for rules, and want to participate in setting the rules. They start to think that youngsters have ideas, and they start to figure out which values benefit them the most — a sort of "what's in it for me" stage. Parents can take advantage of their children's sense of fairness and desire for equality by saying, "Yes, I'll drive your friends to the movie if you agree to help me with the housework." These agreements make sense to a youngster of this age. This also marks the beginning of the time at which youngsters may absorb religious principles, determining which notions actually have significance for them and which do not.
Stage 5 - Preteens and Teens
These kids work hard to be popular. They are easily influenced by peer pressure and peer values. They may waver and try on multiple value systems to see which ones fit as they continue to sort out which values will become a part of themselves and which will be discarded. This youngster develops an interest in what is beneficial for society and is better capable of abstract thinking about moral ideals. During this period of moral development, children may regard their parents as advisers rather than forceful authority figures.
