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Birth
I was born on September 12th 1987 by c-section. My sister was a c-section because she was facing the wrong way, and back then doctors believe it was dangerous to have a natural birth if you have already had a c-section. Now, that is no longer the case. I came out very healthy and weighed 6 lbs 3 oz. -
Period: to
First Two Years
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Pyschosocial: First smile
My first smile iis an example of the first sign of my psychosocial development. -
Psychosocial: First laugh
At 3 months old, my baby book says that I laughed for the very first time. This is an example of emotional development, meaning pyschosocial. -
Cognitive: Sounds and Babbling
At 5 months, I began making a lot of sounds and babbling. By 10 months, I could say some babbling-type words like "ma ma" and "da da" but could also say "hi." This is part of my cognitive development. -
Medical problems
My first biosocial difficulty was that my feet and legs didn't develop properly at first. I had bilateral tibia torsion, or "toeing in." For six months, I had to wear special shoes and attach a tension bar to them while I was sleeping in my crib. Luckily, this took care of the problem and my legs and feet are completely normal! -
Biosocial: Crawling
At 10 months, I could crawl, sit up on my own and pull myself up to standing. These are examples of my gross motor skills improving and biosocial development. -
Biosocial: Walking
At 13 months, I could walk on my own without any help from mom or dad. Check out those gross motor skills! -
Cognitive: Immitating my sister
At 18 months, I liked to play dolls with my sister, an example of my psychosocial development. I also became a pro at immitating my big sister's behavior. This is called deferred immitation and is an example of cognitive development. -
Cognitive: First sentence
I was a very early talker, which seemed very funny because I was bald until age 2! I looked like a giant talking infant :) At 18 months old, I said my first sentence: "Rachel did it." And you guessed it. Rachel is my sister! It seems my cognitive development was not only helping me develop language, but also understanding blame! -
Period: to
Early Childhood
Age 2-6. -
Cognitive: ABC's
At 24 months I could say my ABC's. I was well on my way to language aquisition! -
Pscyhosocial: Playing Dress Up
At 2 1/2 years old, I love playing dress up. This ability to imagine and pretend is part of my cognitive development. Cooperating with others is part of my psychosocial. -
Psychosocial: Entered Pre-School
Ages 3-4 I entered pre-school, which helped me to learn good social skills and how to play with other children, aiding in my psychosocial development. This picture is of me at age 3 at the Apple Fest in Michigan. -
Psychosocial and Bisocial: Dance class
At 3 years old I started taking dance class (ballet) with my sister and cousin. This was great for my social development and helping develop motor skills. -
Biosocial: Tying shoes
At 4/12 years old, I could tie my own shoes. This is an example of fine motor skills and biosocial development. -
Psychosocial: Entered Kindergarten
Just before I turned 5 I entered Kindergarten. By then, I was already reading 1st grade materials. My mom, a 1st grade teacher, taught me. My mom told me that on my first day of Kintergarden I cried, saying I wasn't going to be her baby anymore. My mom had to leave for work, so my teacher sent for my big sister (in second grade) and she came and hugged me until I felt better. My mom said that this was out of character for me because I was always brave and adventurous. -
Period: to
Middle Childhood
Age 6-11. -
Cognitive: Piano lessons
Just after I turned 6 I started to take piano lessons. I would continue until high school, when, to my mother's dismay, I quit. My aptitude for music is an example of my brain development. The next few years would show what skills I would master due to my inherited ability. -
Biosocial: Summer Swim Team
In summer of '95 and '96 I was on a swim team. This was a good way for me to engage in healthy activies and physical play for my biosocial development. -
Biosocial and Psychosocial: Ride a Bike
At age 61/2, I could ride a bike with no training wheels! More biosocial development. It's also an example of my psychosocial development because my parents taught me how. -
Biosocial and Psychosocial: Weight Gain
Around age 9 or 10 I started to become a chubby kid. It's unfortunate, but part of my biosocial (and eventually psychosocial development). -
Cognitive: Flute lessons
At age 10 I began taking flute lessons, which further showed my aptitude for music. -
Psychosocial: Teased for being chubby
In 5th grade at age 10 is the first time I remember ever being teased. It was for being chubby. Although I do remember that in the 3rd grade when I had to play Santa Claus in the Christmas Play (because I was the only one who could memorize that many lines) I was afraid people would tease me. This is the first time that I can remember acceptance being important. -
Psychsocial: Popularity
Sixth grade, at age 11, is the first time I remember thinking that I wanted to be a "popular kid." Wanting to be accepted is a big part of social development. -
Period: to
Adolescence
Age 11-18. -
Cognitive: Entered "gifted" program.
For 7th grade, I tested well on certain exams and was placed into a middle school program for the academically talented. Although it appeared my cognitive abilities were accelerated, being in the "nerd program" didn't help my social lfie! -
Biosocial: Menstruation
I biologically "became a woman" as they say in the 7th grade. That's when the hormones started taking over! I got my first pimple, started liking boys, had emotional ups and downs, etc. -
Biosocial and Psychosocial: Interest in Boys
In middle school, I started getting a real interest in boys. I always had a crush and wanted a "boyfriend," which in those days, meant holding hands in the hall with someone! Interest in the opposite sex has to do with hormones and social setting. -
Psychosocial: First kiss
My freshman year of high school I finally had my first kiss. With my friends older brother at a slumber party. -
Biosocial and Psychosocial: Eating Disorder
The last half of my freshman year, I developed an eating disorder. It was the result of social problems and wanting to fit in and be pretty, but had biologically consequences. -
Psychosocial: First drink
Sophomore year of high school, I experiemented with alcohol for the first time. It ended very badly and I got into trouble! It's a social milestone because it had to do with the group of friends I made in high school, although drinking and drugging can have a very negative effect on cognitive development in adolescents. -
Psychosocial and Cognitive: Substance Abuse Problems
By the end of sophomore year of high school, I began experimenting with many different substances, including alcohol. It started to become a problem and had a negative effect on my life. The most significant results were social, but I'm sure there were physical and cognitive effects that I wouldn't have noticed. Also, the chocie to use drugs and alcohol is in part because the part of teenager's brain's responsible for decision making isn't fully developed. -
Cognitive: Graduated High School
In 2005, I graduated high school, and shortly thereafter started college. I officially became an adult. Although I wouldn't enter my real adult life until 25! -
Biosocial: Sexual Activity
Like a lot of other biological things in emerging adulthood, the next few years would be my sexual peak. I would have more partners and be "wilder" than in any other time of my life. Not that I was particularly bad! But hey, it's because my reproductive system was at it's strongest apparently! -
Period: to
Emerging Adulthoot
Age 18-25. -
Psychosocial: First "real" boyfriend
My freshman year of college is one I got my first "real" boyfriend! -
Psychosocial: Entered Sobriety
At age 20, I got sober. I didn't put all the gory details in my timeline, but I went through a very wild stage with substance abuse during high school and early college. Luckily, I got help and started a new, more responsible life very young! -
Psychosocial: Graduated College
At 22, I received my bachelor's degree, which socially, put me in a different stage of life. -
Psychosocial: Started Career
In 2010, I graduated from college and started my career in adveritisng. A great step toward becoming a grown up! -
Psychosocial: Cohabitation
In 2010, I moved in with my boyfriend at the time. This was a serious committment and a very interesting time! -
Psychosocial: Vocational Identity
After graduating college, I started an internship at an ad agency. After my internship, they hired me as a copywriter. After a while, I started establishing an identity with my job. -
Cognitive: Postformal thought
In my early 20's, I think my brain started to finally grow up. My thinking became more practical and flexible. Even "dialectical" although I don't even quite understand all of that antithesis stuff in the book! -
Cognitive: Brain Became Fully Developed
Finally, at age 25, my brain became fully developed! I definitely have more maturity, better decision making, and clearer thoughts than I did a few years ago! -
Period: to
Adulthood
Age 25-65. -
Biosocial: Vision loss
At 26, I got my first pair of glasses! -
Psychosocial: Rising Self-Esteem
Finally, at age 25--actually the tail end of my emerging adulthood, I started to get better self-esteem. I feel like all women spend their physical "prime" feeling insecure, and by the time they get some self-esteem, our looks are starting to go! That's how it is for me, anyway. I wish I had appreciated my younger years! -
Biosocial: Collagen loss
I can already see the signs of collagen loss and I'm getting my first wrinkles! -
Psychosocial: Buying a House
My fiance and I purchased a house together. -
Wedding
At age 31 I finally tied the knot! -
Biosocial: Pregnancy
At age 33, I decided to have a baby and got pregnant--starting the developmental process with a new life :) -
Psychosocial: Parenthood
In 2021, I became a parent for the first time. Socially, this meant entering a whole new stage of life. Biologically, I went through a lot of changes with hormones and instincts, as well. -
Psychosocial: The Midlife Crisis
Like many adults, at age 40 I hit the midlife crises. It made me reassess my career, but I decided not to make a change. I did, however, make some health changes in my life. -
Biosocial: Menopuase
In my mid 50s, I went through menopause. This was a tough physical change. -
Psychosocial: Retirement
At 65, I retired from working. Yayyy! -
Period: to
Late Adulthood
Age 65-85. -
Cognitive: Self-Actualization
It took long enough, but I finally made it to self-actualization! -
Psychosocial: Retirement home
Rather than aging in place, I made the decision to move into a nice retirement community, where I can get involved in many activities and socialize with people. -
Bisocial: Cardivascular Health
I developed high blood pressure, but luckily, got on medication to get in under control! -
Psychosocial: Grandchildren
I had my first grandchild! -
Psychosocial: Religious Involvement
In my older age, I came to terms with religious beliefs that gave me a healthier outlook on my life. -
Cognitive: Forgetfullness
At 80 years old, my memory isn't what it used to be. Luckily, this doesn't seem to be a sign of Alzheimer's. -
Biosocial: Sleep problems
Like many older adults, I'm having more difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, so I'm spending more time in bed. -
Death
I hope to pass away at the ripe old age of 85, before my health has begun to seriously decline. I'll leave behind children and grandchildren, and I won't be scared--because after 85 years, I imagine I'll be quite exhausted!
