Which phase is characterized by the child’s increasing awareness of their own body and its pleasure?

The phase characterized by the child's increasing awareness of their own body and its pleasure is the phallic phase. This developmental stage typically occurs between the ages of three and six years, as proposed by Sigmund Freud. During this time, children begin to explore their bodies more thoroughly and develop a sense of gender identity. They may also exhibit curiosity about the differences between boys and girls, which is a significant aspect of their growing self-awareness.

The phallic stage also involves understanding one's own desires and impulses, which plays a crucial role in the development of personality. This exploration in the phallic phase includes both the pleasure derived from the body and the emerging awareness of social and cultural norms regarding sexuality.

In contrast, the oral phase focuses primarily on infant activities centered around the mouth and oral stimulation, such as sucking and biting, while the anal phase revolves around toilet training and the control of bodily functions. The latency phase, occurring after the phallic phase, typically involves a period of relative calm in sexual development, where children focus more on social interactions and skill-building rather than sexual exploration.

Therefore, the phallic phase is distinct in its emphasis on both self-awareness and the exploration of one's body, which aligns directly with the characteristics mentioned in