Erick Erikson postulated a theory about human development in eight psychosocial stages. The first four stages are due to the baby period during infancy, and the last stages refer to adulthood and old age. According to Erikson's theory, a normal, healthy two-year-old would fit into the second stage of Erikson, which begins when the child is 1 and up to the age of 3.
It is important to encourage children's autonomy in this stage, but this cannot be synonymous with indiscipline. It is common for two- or three-year-olds to take scenes in the middle of the street, refuse to reach across, and say no too easily. It is up to parents to kindly explain what the child can and cannot do without preventing it from developing. Overprotection also hinders development and makes children more dependent on their parents.
