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Janell Corrine Evans
This timeline is a record of previous events of my life, continued with current events, and ending with presumptions of how my life will play out. -
Conception
After four years of fertility medication and a miscarriage along the way, I was conceived. -
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Gestation and Prenatal History
My parents had been trying to conceive for four years and had miscarried along the way. Thus, when they realized they were expecting they were exuberant and took every precaution to ensure they would have a healthy baby. My mother stayed far from caffeine and other harmful things and was adamant about taking her prenatal vitamins and supplements. -
Birth
Even though I was in the womb, my parents constantly interacted with me. My mom would sing to me, and my dad would rest his head on my mom’s belly, feeling me kick and squirm. Eleven days after the due date, on February 22nd, 1993 at 5:59 PM, I entered the world. From the beginning we were a very close family. I began to smirk and smile very early on, and slept through the night before I was even two weeks old. -
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First Two Years
Biosocial Development: motors skills/sensation&perception
Cognitive Development:first words/information processing
Psychosocial Development:smiling/attachment -
Biosocial Development-First Two Years
As a baby, I was very interactive with my parents and others. By the age of three months, I was picking up objects and grasping small things, twirling things around my fingers, perceiving what they were. I was very curious, always trying to figure things out. Once I began taking my first steps, I started walking independently soon after, specifically by ten months. -
Cognitive Development-First Two Years
From birth, I cooed, making small noises to my parents delight. At four months, my dad was thrilled to hear, “Dada,” roll off my lips. By eight months, I was making small statements, such as: “Up there,” “Pretty Flowers,” and “Nice doggy.” Once twelve months came, I was making full sentences, “My daddy drives a big truck,” “I can hear thunder,” and “Momma, I am hungry.” I was able to understand conversations. And by two, I was able to hold a conversation, clearly and fluently. -
Psychosocial Development-First Two Years
Right from the start, I was a very happy baby, and by two weeks I began smiling. Smiling more than a simple smirk; I would smile when my mom said my name or when my dad walked in the room. My mother and I had a secure attachment. I had confidence and comfort. -
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Play Years
Biosocial:physical & mental growth
Cognitive:Vocabulary/grammar
Psychosocial:emotional development/parental style -
Biosocial Development - Play Years
Physically, I shot up, growing a foot from the age of two to the age of six. Due to my awkwardly long body, many people assumed I was older than I actually was. This caused me to mature faster to avoid being taunted. My parents also socialized me with adults often, which helped me to develop mentally by conversing with mature individuals. These were my own years in public education. I was in the Livonia School District from kindergarten to second grade. -
Cognitive Development - Play Years
Even before school age, my mother worked with me to learn the alphabet, to write, counting, and basic mathematics. This helped me enter kindergarten academically ahead, yet during the next three years my education did not expand as hoped. I was not learning in school. I would grasp the idea being taught but would bore once I understood the concept. My mind wandered due to the lack of diversity in the class room. This is when my parents realized at home education would be best. -
Psychosocial Development - Play Years
Confidence was never a problem. I was very self-assured, yet respectful of authority. Unlike most at this age, I was not very girly. On Sunday mornings, I would be in a ruffle dress, yet on weekdays, I was a rough and tough tomboy. My parents incorporated permissive, authoritarian, and authoritative parenting into how I was raised. During these years they favored the authoritarian style, setting rules and requiring me to follow them. My parents were never unreasonable; they were always loving. -
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School Years
Biosocial: developing habits/brain development
Cognitive: understanding/education
Psychosocial: peers/family -
Biosocial Development – School Years
These years were a struggle due to a car accidence which left me with a brain injury similar to “infant shaken-brain syndrome.” This interrupted any habits I had begun establishing, because I was crippled daily with severe migraines and vomiting for many months. If it was not for homeschooling, I would have fallen behind by two grade levels. Thanks to the flexibility of homeschooling, we were able to adapt to my needs. During this time, I was forced to quit many of my extra-curricular activities -
Cognitive Development - School Years
My education remained steady in my life, due to my parents’ dedication of homeschooling. I continued to learn and grow even though I was crippled with pain. This made me develop a greater appreciation and understanding for life. Although I did not know why this had happened, I understood that it was a trial I could either overcome or let it overcome me. -
Psychosocial Development – School Years
The brain injury brought my family closer. Not being able to participate in the activities I had before, I lost many friends, but the true friends in my life grew closer and we built a bond that has lasted a lifetime. Although I wished to remain in my room due to my migraines, my parents encouraged me to continue socializing, which had a significant impact on my social development. I maintained a postive attitude through this trial, and as a result I built much of my character during these years -
Puberty
My first period occured, and it came along with a mess of hormonal changes to my body and mind. -
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Adolescence
Biosocial: puberty/maturity
Cognitive: thinking/learning
Psychosocial: identity/building connections -
Biosocial Development - Adolescence
Through these years I truly became a woman. I developed physically, mentally, and emotionally. I made it through the right of passage of awkwardness, braces, acne, and adolescence and blossomed into a young mature woman. -
Cognitive Development - Adolescence
During these years, I expanded my own form of thinking. I developed my opinion on life, creating my own foundation of morals and conviction. I excelled academically. The transformation from elementary to middle school and even farther to high school seemed relatively effortless. I was focused on maintaining my character and my 4.0. -
Psychosocial Development - Adolescence
Adolescence allowed me to find myself. Through the ups and downs, I learned who I am and what I wanted in life. I created personal connections that helped me build my character. At the age of sixteen, I met the love of my life who has not only helped me grow as a person, but encouraged me to follow my dreams and passions. -
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Emerging Adulthood
Biosocial: growth/health habits/taking risks
Cognitive: morals/religion/thought
Psychosocial: identity/intimacy/emotional development -
High School Graduation
Receiving my High School Honors Diploma a year early has by far been one of the biggest accomplishments in my life. It was my goal and hope since I was in elementary to graduate a year early, and through much perseverance, despite being deathly ill my senior year, my dream came true. -
Biosocial Development – Emerging Adulthood
As I matured as an adult, I maintained my healthy habits of working out and eating right. Thanks to my strong Christian faith, I abstained from all drugs and alcohol, living a life free of regret. When not working or studying academics, I volunteered at Penrickton Center for blind children, which was a humbling learning experience. -
Cognitive Development – Emerging Adulthood
I kept my strong morals all through my college years, continuing to stay active in my church and community. -
Graduation
Finally, I had completed my college education. Graduating from Eastern Michigan University with my Masters in Special Education was a major accomplishment and the beginning to a new chapter of my life. -
Psychosocial Development – Emerging Adulthood
My personal identity was already discovered, but I continually tried to make myself a better person. Dan and I only grew closer as we moved from adolescence to adulthood. -
The Wedding
After dating for eight years, Dan and I were finally at the point in life where we were ready to get married. With diplomas in hand and our first house bought, there was nothing stopping us from becoming one. -
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Adulthood
Biosocial: aging process/habits
Cognitive: intelligence/gains&losses
Psychosocial: generativity/outlook -
Biosocial Development – Adulthood
Maintaining the healthy habits I developed earlier in life, I continued to stay physically active and eat healthy. Also, I kept a social life to ensure the habit of happiness. The aging process was not only before fun for me, but also for my children because I had the joy of watching them grow. -
Cognitive Development – Adulthood
Constantly being in a classroom as a teacher, I kept my mind frequently stimulated and ever learning. -
Retirement
After teaching for twenty-five, I chose to retire. Instead of fully being retired I chose to open my own photography studio where I spend most of my time. -
Psychosocial Development – Adulthood
Ever since I was a child, I had a positive outlook on life, and this never changed. During these years, I only become more happy, watching my children grow and develop. -
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Late Adulthood
Biosocial: senescence/aging
Cognitive: information processing/development
Psychosocial: retirement/socialization -
Biosocial Development – Late Adulthood
As my body began to slow down, I did my best to maintain my youth by staying active physically and socially. -
Cognitive Development – Late Adulthood
After teaching for so many years, it was a release to no longer plan schedules or grade assignments. My brain began to slow, and focused on the smaller things in life like maintaining my garden. -
Psychosocial Development – Late Adulthood
After ten years at my photography studio, I chose to pass it on to my daughter who also shared the same love. With much free time, I spent all of it with my husband, children, and my wonderful great-grandchildren. -
Death
At the age of seventy-five, I slipped into my eternal home, leaving behind my husband of fifty years, our four children, and our twelve grandchildren.