Inspired by the work of Carl Gustav Jung on the archetype of the child, the concept of the inner child is based on the idea that we have all been children and that this child still lives within us.  

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Since time immemorial, myths and tales feature children in danger who, after many ordeals, end up transcending their fears and transforming into heroes. 

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These legendary characters perfectly symbolize the inner child, Jung's universal archetype, just as the goblins, gnomes or elves of mythology are typical representations.

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It was in 1956 that Paul Radin, anthropologist, described the "Trickster" then the divine rascal in 1958 with Jung's commentary. Paul Radin was able to make his contribution to the study of the psychology of the rascal. It is on this basis that Jung will develop his own concept which will subsequently be used and developed from a theoretical point of view in other disciplines of psychology. 

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Thus, Eric Berne in the 1960s developed the theory, according to his point of view, and made it the basis of transactional analysis. 

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Then in the 1980s, the idea of ​​the inner child took off thanks to the famous couple of psychologists and analysts, Hal and Sidra Stone, who also brought their contribution to the building.