Final answer:
Both Freud's and Erikson's theories suggest that experiences during the preschool period are pivotal for personality development, with Freud emphasizing psychosexual stages and Erikson focusing on social interactions and lifelong psychosocial development.
Step-by-step explanation:
A central theme that emerges from both Sigmund Freud's and Erik Erikson's theories of development during the preschool period is personality development. Freud's psychosexual theory suggests that early childhood experiences shape our adult personalities through various erogenous zones in different stages of development. In contrast, Erikson's psychosocial theory focuses on social interactions shaping our sense of self or ego identity, proposing that development occurs throughout the lifespan. Erikson suggests that during the preschool years, children face the challenge of initiative versus guilt, where they learn to assert control and interact with others, crucial for developing self-confidence and a sense of purpose.