Final answer:
Preschool children (ages 3-6) focus on developing a greater sense of self-control during the initiative versus guilt stage of Erikson's theory. They learn to assert control and initiate activities, which builds confidence and purpose.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Erikson, the stage where individuals are focused on developing a greater sense of self-control is the preschool stage (ages 3-6 years), known as initiative versus guilt. At this stage, children begin asserting control through initiating activities and interacting with others. Successful navigation of this stage results in self-confidence and a sense of purpose, while failure may lead to feelings of guilt. Overly controlling parents can hinder this development by stifling a child's initiative. This stage precedes subsequent stages where a sense of identity is further refined, such as during adolescence with identity versus role confusion (ages 12-18) where establishing a solid sense of self is crucial.