Stage 1 Intuitive-Projective Faith  With a childs discovery of language and imagination, he or she begins to build an image of what life is all about. This is a very fantastical and imaginitive stage uninhibited by logic. The imagination is very active and long lasting images (both good and bad) are formed that will later be sorted out by logical and reflective thought. This stage is the first where one has self awareness. Because of strong egocentrism, the perspectives of others cannot be understood. During this stage the child begins to understand cultural taboos concerning sex and death. The use of symbols and imagery give the child an understanding about who he or she is and power to develop a feeling about that knowledge. The major step towards stage 2 is obtaining concrete operational thought. |
-James Fowler |