Final answer:
Sigmund Freud was the first theorist to emphasize the importance of child development in personality development with his psychosexual theory, highlighting stages with focus on different erogenous zones. Jean Piaget and Erik Erikson offered their perspectives on cognitive and psychosocial development, respectively, impacting our understanding of personality development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Role of Child Development in Personality Development
The first theorist to stress the role of child development in personality development was Sigmund Freud. Freud's psychosexual theory of development posits that personality is largely formed during the early years of life as individuals navigate through different stages, each associated with specific erogenous zones. In contrast, Jean Piaget focused on cognitive growth in children and emphasized the importance of children's natural curiosity and the unique ways they think compared to adults. Meanwhile, Erik Erikson modified Freud's views and advanced the psychosocial theory of development, which suggests that personality development continues throughout the lifespan and is significantly influenced by social interactions. Lev Vygotsky's sociocultural theory also highlighted the impact of culture and social environment on development, while Lawrence Kohlberg developed a theory of moral development predicated on cognitive growth stages.