According to Margaret Mahler’s stages of separation-individuation, the period from 10 to 18 months is known as what stage?

The period from 10 to 18 months in Margaret Mahler’s stages of separation-individuation is identified as the Practicing stage. During this stage, infants begin to explore the world around them more autonomously while still maintaining a sense of connection to their primary caregiver. This exploration is characterized by increased mobility—such as crawling and walking—which allows the child to develop a sense of self and engage more actively with their environment.

The practicing phase is significant as it marks a developmental milestone where children experiment with independence, moving away from the caregiver and then returning for reassurance. This dynamic supports the formation of an internalized sense of self and identity separate from the caregiver. The child’s sense of security during exploration is rooted in the caregiver’s presence and support, highlighting the delicate balance between autonomy and dependence that is critical during this stage of development.

The other stages referred to in the question play different roles in the overall process of separation-individuation. For instance, the Differentiation stage occurs just before the Practicing stage and focuses on the child’s realization of being a separate entity. The Rapprochement stage follows Practicing, where the child attempts to reunite with the caregiver after exploring, often resulting in ambivalence as the child navigates