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Germinal Period Begins
I am a blastocyte consisting of more than 100 cells. I separate into two distinct masses, one becoming the placenta to protect and nourish me and the other becoming an embryo; me! I achieve implantation by embedding myself in the nurturing environment of the uterus. -
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Prenatal Development and Birth
The most dramatic and extensive transformation of the entire life span occurs before birth and is divided up into three main periods. -
Embryonic Period Begins
I am now an embryo! I am finally beginning to look like a real being. My central nervous system is developing as well as my head, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth (in the fourth week). My legs and arms are also beginning to appear (in the fifth week). I weigh about one-thirtieth of an ounce (56 days in) and I'm about an inch long. I now have all of my basic organs, too. -
Fetal Period Begins: Month 3
I'm a girl! All of my body parts are intact and I weigh about 3 ounces and am 3 inches long. Although all of my structures are now in place, my organs still cannot function. -
Fetal Period: Months 4,5, & 6
My heartbeat is becoming stronger and my cardiovascular system is now relatively active. My brain is developing at a quick pace, increasing about six times in size and creating neurons and synapses! -
Fetal Period: Months 7,8, & 9
My brain waves are indicating responsiveness. My lungs are expanding and contracting using the amniotic fluid as a substitute for air. My heart valves, arteries, and veins can now circulate the fetal blood! I have gained roughly 4 pounds. The cortex of brain is in the process of folding several times in order to fit in my tiny little skull. I can hear my mother's heartbeat and I can smell her. -
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The First Two Years
In these first two years, human beings reach half of their adult height, begin to talk in sentences, and express almost every emotion such as joy, fear, jealousy, love, and shame. -
Cognitive Development: Primary Circular Reaction
I started sucking my thumb today. -
Biosocial Development: Nutrition
Today was my last day of breastfeeding. My mom now feeds me regular baby formula! -
Cognitive Development: Primary Circular Reactions
My mom and I play "patty-cake" now! I can clap my hands! -
Biosocial Development: Motor Skills
I can finally stand by myself without any support from objects or my parents! -
Biosocial Development: Skills
I took my first step today! -
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The Play Years
Children spend most of their time discovering, creating, laughing, and imagining as they acquire crucial life skills. They chase one another at school; experiment with sounds; words, and ideas; they invent dramatic games and fantasies. -
Cognitive Development: Education
I am starting my first day of grade school today at Cooper Elementary! -
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The School Years
Learning is vital. Measured growth takes place, children master new athletic skills, and acquire concepts, vocabulary, and intellectual ability. Psychologically, kids learn to appreciate their parents, make new friends, and develop a sense of pride in their nationality, gender, and ethnicity. -
Psychosocial Development: Peers
I made my first best friend today! She is coming over for a sleepover at my house tonight. Her name is Kristen. -
Biosocial Development: A Healthy Time
My mom signed me up to be on a softball team today! She said that it's good exercise and that I need it. I'm so excited, I am the only girl on the team! -
Cognitive Development: Building on Theory
I had my first session with my clarinet tutor today! -
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Adolescence
"Adolescence begins with biology and ends with society." Growth is uneven both socially and biologically; some aspects of the brain mature at puberty and some much later. Pre-teens and teenagers begin the discovery of who they really are. -
Biosocial Development: Drugs
Somebody offered me a hit of pot when I was walking to the bus after school today. I was really uncomfortable and I had never even seen marijuana before in my life so I just smiled and kept on walking like I wasn't nervous (BUT I WAS!). -
Cognitive Development: Education
I'm beginning my first day of high school today at Livonia Franklin. -
Psychosocial Development: Relationships
I got asked to the Homecoming Dance by the cutest boy in the world today! Hopefully everything works out well; I really like him. -
Biosocial Development: Strong and Attractive Bodies
I went to my physician for my last high school physical! I am 170 pounds and 5 feet 10 inches. The doc told me that I have reached my peak of growth. -
Cognitive Development: Education
I graduated from Franklin High School today! -
Biosocial Development: Sexual Activity
I lost my virginity today. -
Biosocial Development: Sexual Activity
I lost my virginity today. -
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Emerging Adulthood
There are three traditional roles that signify adulthood: employee, spouse, and parent. Many contemporary young adults avoid some, if not, all of these roles. Today, this age group can be characterized by more education, later marriage, fewer births, and delayed career choices. Exploration and independence become a big priority. -
Biosocial Development: Drug Abuse
Although I wasn't consistently smoking cigarettes before, I think that it's safe to say that I am addicted to them now. I smoked an entire pack in one day. -
Biosocial Development: Education
Just finished my last class at Schoolcraft! I now have my Associates Degree in Liberal Arts! -
Biosocial Development: Appearance
I bought my first pair of color contacts today! They are a vibrant blue; my eyes are already a pretty bright shade of blue, I just thought that a change would be nice. -
Biosocial Development: Social Norms
It's my 21st birthday! I'm going to the bar with all of my closest friends to get LEGALLY wasted! -
Cognitive Development: Morals and Religion
I went to church to the first time today in years. I am not quite sure if I want to make this a habit yet or not... -
Biosocial Development: Education
I just graduated from Eastern Michigan University where I received a Bachelors Degree in Secondary Physical Education! I can't wait to start teaching. -
Biosocial Development: Exercise and Eating Well
I started a diet today and enrolled at a new gym. I already had a membership at Fitness USA, but I thought that maybe if I switched things up, I would have more motivation to go. I need to start getting back into the shape I was in when I played sports in high school. Plus, Spring Break is coming up! -
Cognitive Development: Effects of College
Some friends and I decided to have a little competition to see who would buy the next case of beer. We had a Jeopardy! party at my apartment and I smoked all of them. However, I was the only one with a four-year college education. -
Psychosocial Development: Friendship
My best friend since middle-school, Jessica, asked me to be the Maid of Honor in her wedding this summer! I'm so happy! I can't wait. -
Psychosocial Development: Living Together, Not Married
I asked my boyfriend of two years to move into my apartment with me today and he said yes! -
Psychosocial Development: Anxiety Disorders
Shortly after my boyfriend was all moved in, he started acting funny and I've been really worried that maybe he is cheating on me. I went to see a doctor about this and he prescribed me Xanax to cope with my anxiety. He asked me several questions and I even had to take a questionaire to determine whether or not this drug is right for me. It's a little bit frightening that it has come to this. -
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Adulthood
Bodies grow more mature, minds master new material and consolidate what is already known, people work productively, nurture marriages, raise children, and care for aging parents. Adults experience tragedy, windfalls, separations, sickness, recovery, birth, death, travel, job loss, promotion, poverty, and wealth. This span is classified based on its numerous events. -
Psychosocial Development: Marriage
It's my wedding day! I'm so excited! We are having a beautiful outdoor wedding out in the country. -
Psychosocial Development: Parenthood
My husband and I gave birth to our first child today! Her name is Karen Elizabeth Lee Price. She shares a birthday with my dad! -
Biosocial Development: Senescence
I discovered my first wrinkle today! It is a crease right next to my right eye (skin is getting thinner and less flexible). -
Cognitive Development: Selective Optimization with Compensation
I joined an adult basketball league today! I'm not quite as fast as I used to be, but I've still got a mean jump shot! -
Cognitive Development: Fluid Intelligence
I know it's corny, but I finished a 500-piece puzzle in less than an hour today (short-term memory)! -
Psychosocial Development: The "Midlife Crisis"
My husband and I got into a big argument today after I had a long day at work dealing with all the snobby high-school kids that I teach. This has been an ongoing problem for several weeks now. I'm stressed out to the max. This is it; I need to buy a red sports car ASAP! -
Psychosocial Development: Intimacy
My husband and I seem to be losing any sort of intimacy that we ever had. We have decided to begin seeing a couple's counselor to maybe initiate some more spice into our lives. -
Biosocial Development: Menopause
No more monthly visit for me! I visited the gynocologist today where they confirmed that it's official; I have reached menopause. -
Biosocial Development: Sense Organs
I visited the eye doctor today and discovered that my eyesight is slowly wearing. I need to get glasses to wear for reading. -
Cognitive Development: Human Relations Expertise
I caught my 17-year old daughter trying to sneak into the house last night. Needless to say, she was quite intoxicated. We had a nice long talk and she is now grounded for several weeks. This WILL NOT be happening again, I'll garuntee that. -
Biosocial Development: Obesity
I was put on the Mediterranean diet today! I am not obese, however my nutritionist told me that I am slightly overweight and a program such as this may make me feel better each day. It consists of lots of vegetables, legumes, fruits, fish, and grains. I have to watch the meats that I eat, though. This will help me maintain my weight and decrease my body fat. -
Biosocial Development: The Aging Brain
I went outside to watch my grandson shoot the basketball around in the backyard and when the ball hit the rim and came whipping in my direction, it hit me square in the face! My reflexes and reaction time are getting very bad. -
Cognitive Development: The Flynn Effect
My grandson found a fun IQ test online that he asked me to take. He thought that he could outsmart his grandma and get a better score. Little did he know, I'm still a smart cookie! Not only did I beat him, but I got a better score than I did when I was in school! -
Biosocial Development: Presbycusis
I went to get my annual physical and I passed the "whisper test!" However, I didn't pass with flying colors so my doctor told me that a hearing aid may be in my future. I'm just glad that it's not today! -
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Late Adulthood
Late adulthood continues earlier patterns as opposed to breaking away from them. People evaluate their entire life and either resign themselves to lonely isolation or remain social and independent.