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Prenatal Period- Pickles
As a pregant woman, my mother had intense pickle cravings. She would regularly binge on pickels, and that is probably why I now enjoy pickles and pickeled beets and sauerkraut and all things pickled. The things she ate as a pregnant woman affected my taste preferences as a child and teenager. -
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Kasia's Life
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Infancy- Mild-Mannered
Social Development
When I was an infant, I had a mild temperament. I cried very little and made little noise. Also, I was very tolerant as a baby. For example, my big brother would throw toys into my crib, and I wouldn’t appear bothered or annoyed. I even managed to keep calm and relaxed when my loud and energetic brother held me (see image). In fact, I could fall asleep in his arms while he kissed my face and babbled in his toddler language. -
Toddlerhood- Initiative vs. Guilt
Social Development
In the image, I am bundled up and happy as ever while exploring our wonderful Chicago weather. I used to help my brother push snow around, throw snowballs, and simply explore the backyard all on my own. This was a crucial step in Erickson’s “Initiative vs. Guilt” stage because I asserted control over my environment and felt a sense of purpose when I created something out of the snow. -
Toddlerhood- Language Comprehension
Language Development
When I was a child, I learned to respond to my name pretty early (around 4 months). As a toddler, whenever someone said my name, I would whip my head around and make a face similar to the one in the picture while listening intently. This showed activity in my Wernicke ’s area that is responsible for language comprehension. This habit as a child may explain why I prefer to learn by listening. -
Childhood- Fantasy Play
Cognitive Development
In the image, I have a packing peanut in my nostrils. Why? Well I asked myself the same question. When I found no explanation, I asked my Mom who said “You were pretending to be Rudolph, except a white-nosed Rudolph.” I would pretend to be a reindeer and run up the stairs as if I was “flying.” This stage of my childhood was a representation of the preoperational stage because I often engaged in fantasy play with my peers and siblings. This packing-peanut example is one of -
Childhood- Afraid of ET
Cognitive Development
As a child, I was very scared of the character of ET. Because I was still in my Preoperational Stage, I believed appearances to be real. It was difficult for me to grasp the idea of a fake creature especially when it was placed in a movie with normal people and scenes. That fear went away a few years later when I realized that monsters and aliens were not real. -
Childhood- Obedient
Moral Development
During my elementary school years, I was very obedient. This was not because I wanted to avoid punishment or receive reward, but rather it was because I wanted to please my parents and teachers. This behavior was exemplary of the Conventional MR because I would do things because I understood what was expected of me. If I did something wrong, I would cry even without direct punishment because I felt guilty. -
Adolescence- Growth Spurt
Physical Development
When I was 13, I was in the middle of a huge growth spurt. In a year and a half, I gained fifteen pounds and grew four inches. Also, my hips expanded and I had to start shaving my armpits because puberty is a beautiful thing. The image shows me at my thirteenth year of life. The growth spurt age is sometimes the most awkward time of life, but I fully embrace my puberty years. -
Adolescence- Imaginary Audience
As an incoming freshmen, I experienced the "imaginary audience phenomenon" in which I thought people were watching me. This had to do with coming to a new school and beging with new people. It caused me to be self-conscious and try my best in terms of appearance. The picture at the left shows me at my freshmen homecoming in 2011 where I remember being nervous at homecoming and reserved in my choice of dance moves thanks to the imaginary audience that was watching me. -
Adolescence- Parenting Style
Social Development
Because my parents are authoritative parents, they enforce rules and support me emotionally. They have always run a “give-and-take” system in which respect went both ways. Because throughout the years my parents have enforced rules like chores and curfew I have learned discipline. Their emotional support has boosted my self-esteem and increased my trust. Their authoritative style has therefore made me a stronger, more self-reliant individual.
