Few things in life shed more light on who we are, what we believe, and lessons we have learned, than our personal journals. There is not a life that does not have meaning.
Whether you refer to it as a daily log, journaling, writing, keeping a diary, or taking daily notes; write down the events of your life along with the feelings, thoughts, and lessons learned.
As mundane as you think your life might be, there are people out there who will benefit immensely from your experiences. Descendants who read your words, opinions, and learn of your interests will discover much about themselves as they read your story. Far more is passed on through the genes than physical characteristics. Your children and children’s children will cherish the opportunity to take a glimpse into the past through your eyes. They will relate to your likes and dislikes and begin to understand themselves a little better.
Sharing your triumphs along with your defeats inspires and encourages those who come after you – as well as yourself – to keep on going. Life can be long, it is often difficult, and we don’t always make good choices along the way. By sharing those experiences in your personal journal – you empower others to make wiser choices. You can actually reach down into the generations and have influence. How cool is that?
I don’t come from a family that kept journals. Most of my ancestors did not leave anything of that nature behind – so we are left to guess about what their lives were like. My husband comes from a family that wrote fabulous entries in their journals. I have been so engrossed in reading about them. They included poetry, books they liked, philosophies they ascribed to, religious beliefs, and the general history of the world around them. They shared their experiences – both tough and tender. As I have poured through their journals – I feel a deep kinship to them. I look forward to meeting them one day. I’m so glad they wrote. I am also very envious of my husband for the rich resource he was left with.
I remember my father-in-law talking about his grandpa and what a mean man he was – he was heard saying, “never seen a meaner man”. Then one day I picked up the mean man’s journal and read it. I loved reading about his life. I found out that while crossing the plains in a large company of wagon trains, he was abandoned by his mother and father. He was 14 years old at the time and he shared how hard that was for him and somehow he just never got over it. He admitted that he had a temper and wasn’t always the nicest of sorts – but wished he was and always worked on it. Who wouldn’t have anger issues after being abandoned?
He wrote beautifully, including many of his own poems. I decided he wasn’t a mean man at all – at least not in his heart; and that he should be remembered for something other than “the meanest man ever”. I began sharing stories about his life with his great grandchildren at various family gatherings. They became interested and began reading about his life themselves. It was wonderful to hear respect and even pride enter in to conversations about him. If it hadn’t been for this man’s journal – he would still be remembered for the worst in him instead of the best.
Being an avid writer – I try to be mindful about what I write. I try to include the things that are going on in the world and how they affect me. I try to include the latest inventions and how they are changing everyday life. Of course, I try to write the good, bad and the ugly – just because – that is what life is made of. I also remember that because I am writing – I will have the last word on what I am really all about.
Every life is important – every life has value – leave a legacy and write about yours.
There are many different kinds of stages a child goes through from birth to adolescence; normal, social-emotional and intellectual. These stages are also divided according to age group; early childhood, middle childhood and adolescence.
Though the boundaries of these stages shift over time as researchers find new understandings of how a children develop as the times changes.
- The Three Broad Stages of Child Development (Physical)
Early Childhood – from birth to 8 years
This is the fast-paced stage of child development in terms of all the areas of development; physical and mental. On the physical aspect, a child doubles his height and quadruples his weight from birth to 3 years of age. The body proportions also shift during this stage as the head of the infant that comprises a quarter of the total body length will be in total proportion wit his body as he becomes a toddler. At 3 to 8, they look like little adults already.
Middle Childhood – from 8 to 12 years
Although physical growth is steady and somewhat slow from 8 to 11 years of age, at the onset of puberty by 12, new body changes will occur. Actually the start of puberty differs in each individual. Some start as early as 9 while others as late as 12. Girls tend to develop earlier than boys.
Adolescence – 12 to 18 years
This is another period of rapid growth acceleration. During this period a child can grow up to 4 to 7 inches in height and about ten pounds per year. This fast growth is characterized by the hormonal growth that occurs during these years.
In some cultures, adolescent never exist or if it does, it’s for a short period of time; because it coincides with their tradition of being matured adults at early ages. In some cultures the women are married by the time they reach 15, so no time to be adolescent and be an instant adult. - The Social-Emotional Stage of Child Development
Early Childhood
From birth to the first year, a child’s social-emotional development mainly stays within the circle of his family. After the first year to about 3 years, a child already acknowledges other people presence around him. He interacts a little and expresses his needs. From 5 to 8 years, a child is better at expressing his feelings can by now start demanding for attention. This is the time when tantrums begin to become a big problem for parents.
Middle Childhood
Between the ages 8 to 12, a child is more socially and emotionally developed. This is due to the fact that they are more exposed to the outside world because of school. This is the time when they learn to make friends and get emotionally involved with people other than their families.
Adolescence
This is the most crucial time for social and emotional develop of every child. This is when they are heavily burdened with peer pressure and being emotionally involved with the opposite sex. This is also the time when they communicate much with their families as they try to create identities of their own. This is the most frustrating time for most parents. - Stages of Child Development in the Intellectual Aspect
Early Childhood
Intellectually, this stage is important as this is the sponge period in every child’s life. This is the time when they will learn about everything the world can give them.
Middle Childhood
As this is the period of education, intellectually, a child learns a lot during this period of his development.
Adolescence
Intellectually, by this time a child has learn most things he must learn and he is just learns how to cultivate what he already knows.