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Period: to
Lifetime
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Conception/Germinal Period
Development begins at conception, when father's sperm fertilizes one of mother's ovaries. This creates a zygote, which copies itself to become an embryo, fetus, baby and an adult over time. The outer cells achieve implantation and form a placenta.
(Biosocial) -
Embryonic Period
The fetus continues to grow. The head takes its form and the heart beins to pulse. During this time, the eyes, nose, digestive system and digit formation can be seen.
(Biosocial) -
Fetal Period
Female organs begin to form. Head begins to develop, followed through to extremities. The brain, digestive and excretory systems, nails, buds for teeth and hair grow. Brain parts begin to develop and form the central nervous system. Lungs begin to expand and contract. Viability is reached, and auditory communication with mother begins.
(Biosocial and psychosocial) -
Birth
The brain releases oxytocin, which starts the birthing process. Contractions occur and get more intense. I was born on August 6, 1992. I begin to experience things in the outside world and cry for the first time. The parent-infant bond between my mother and me is formed.
(Biosocial and psychosocial) -
Language Development
After beginning to understand language structure and communication, I speak my first word. Within the next year, there is an explosive growth in vocabulary.
(Cognitive) -
Motorskills Develop
My weight quadruples and my brain grows significanly. Sight, hearing and mobility become voluntary. I begin to grasp objects. I took my first steps.
(Biosocial) -
Develop Secure Attachment
When my mom took me to a new place, I would play while she was in the room. When she left, I would pause, but then return to playing. When she returned, I would welcome her and then go back to playing. Like 50-70% of other toddlers, this demonstrated that I developed a secure attachment.
(Psychosocial) -
Start School
Around the age of 5, I started kindergarten. My brain begins to estalish better connections between parts and I am practicing less impulsivity and more perservation. My vocabulary continues to grow. I am exposed to more gender roles and my self-concept begins to form. I begin to regulate my emotions.
(Biosocial, cognitive and psychosocial) -
Logical Concepts Develop
At about the age of 6, I begin to reach beyond egocentrism. I can now perform logical thought processes, like classification and transitive inference. My knowledge base grows, my memory expands and my control processes are better than before.
(Cognitive) -
Playground Play
Since middle childhood is a time when growth slows down the most, physical play becomes more important. At this age, a great deal of time is spent on the playground and running around outside. During this time, I connected with other children more and used my peers as a greater resource than parents when making a decision.
(Biosocial and psychosocial) -
Puberty
Around this time, I went through puberty. During this time, hormones increase and sexual characteristics developed. The female body also starts menstruation during this time.
(Biosocial) -
Depression
As many teens do, I suffered from depression in high school. I saw little to no point in school, relationships or life as a whole. After about a year, I finally pulled out of it with a little help from therapy.
(Psychosocial) -
Graduated High School
As proof of my cognitive development, I graduated from high school. By this time, I had started to think hypothtically and deductively, helping me to achieve as much as I did. I also got high scores on the high-stakes tests I had taken by this point.
(Cognitive) -
Start College
In September 2010, I began to attend college. It was my hope to gain knowledge to get a better job and start to build my future.
(Cognitive) -
Moved in with Boyfriend
During the summer of 2011, I lived with my boyfriend. It was our way to see if we were ready for a larger commitment and test to see if we felt we should be together. My mother was particularly helpful during this time because she offered me financial help and was there for me emotionally with everything I was going through.
(Psychosocial) -
Health Habits
Recognizing that most young adults struggle to achieve good health, I started working out nearly every day. I also avoid alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. I may not always eat very healthy, but I am making a conscious attempt to better myself.
(Biosocial) -
Degree in Psychology
Around this time, I will finish my degree in psychology. I will have a Ph.D or M.D. and hopefully be practicing what I have learned professionally. By this point, I should be satisfied with my work and family life as well.
(Cognitive and psychosocial) -
Senescence
During this time, the body stops growing and begins senescence. The body gradually phsycially declines because of aging. Skin begins to wrinkle, senses are no longer as sharp and lung capacity reduces, for example.
(Biosocial) -
Activities Late in Life
The body is subject to a great deal of change with aging. In order to prevent body parts from wearing down, I will be physically active. I hope this will also help keep my cognitive functions at their best possible levels. No one in my family has had dementia, so I shouldn't have to worry about that. In addition to being active, I also want to find plenty of activities to fill my time. I'd like to either volunteer or continue my education.
(Biosocial, cognitive and psychosocial) -
Death
According to the life calculator, I will live to be 89. I believe I'll have lived a happy life, so I think it will be easy for me to accept. I just hope not to be dependent at the end of my life and I will most likely sign a DNR before my time comes.