Ontario Early Childhood Educator Practice Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The stages of Freud's psychodynamic theory that are experienced during early childhood are the anal stage and the phallic stage.

During the anal stage, which occurs roughly between the ages of 1 and 3 years, children become focused on controlling bladder and bowel movements. This stage is characterized by the toilet training process, where children learn to navigate their desire for control and the demands of their environment. Successful resolution of this stage can lead to feelings of competence and independence.

Following this, the phallic stage occurs from about ages 3 to 6. During this period, children become aware of their bodies and the differences between genders. This stage is significant for the development of the Oedipus and Electra complexes, where children experience feelings of desire for the opposite-sex parent and rivalry with the same-sex parent. Navigating this stage successfully is crucial for developing healthy sexual identity and relationships in later life.

The other stages mentioned in the other options either occur too early or too late in development to be considered as early childhood stages. The oral stage primarily takes place from birth to about 18 months, focusing on oral gratification, while the latency stage occurs after the phallic stage, usually from around age 6 to puberty, characterized