This pause is necessary, in that it enables the child to assimilate what he has just learned. Practice allows his confidence to grow. Taking on a new challenge involves leaving behind a certain element of comfort. At times, learning can be difficult. A child's development can be interrupted by regressions and fixations.
Regression involves turning back to a stage or a behaviour that is familiar.
Fixation involves an arrest in development. Each completed stage serves as a springboard for the next. To achieve independence, a child must take on age-appropriate challenges. Otherwise, his development will be compromised. Throughout this process, we must remember that the parent's support helps the child succeed.