The person I am today
The person I am today is as a result of experiencing numerous developments since I was born. The developments I have undergone range from physical, language, socio-emotional to cognitive at each stage of my life. Infancy was the first stage of my development and I experienced a lot of changes. Physical development started from the head and then moved to other parts of my body. During early stages, I could only be able to focus on what I could see and interacted only with my immediate environment. Immediately after birth until I was two months, I had learnt how to lift and turn my head, lying on the back, fist my hands and flex my arms as well as primitive reflexes such as Moro reflex and Babinski reflex. From three to four months, I had gained better eye-muscle control, began controlling the actions of my feet and hands, and my neck muscles had developed and were able to support my head. Also, the primitive reflexes had disappeared. The age of five to six months entailed I sitting without support, rolling from my back to stomach.
Adolescence
At the age of six to nine months, I began crawling, sitting steadily for long without support, and walking while holding onto furniture or adult's hand. It is at this stage that I started realizing on object permanence. From nine to twelve months, I was able to balance on my own while standing as well as take few steps while being supported. My physical mobility had increased. Also, my language had developed and could imitate some sounds, say words such as "Mama", as well as respond to simple commands such as "no". At infancy, I was more attached to my mother since she was my primary caregiver. She made me experience safety, joy, comfort and pleasure every time she was around.
Adolescence
My adolescence was signaled by an abrupt increase in the rate of physical growth. It started while I was twelve years old and was characterized with my external sex organs assuming their adult form. As a male, I started developing chest and facial hair and also my voice deepened. My facial appearance also started to presume a more adult appearance of large eyes, round cheeks, small chin and high forehead. At this stage, I also started to think logically and could find solutions to many of the problems I directly experienced. I developed a dogmatism-skepticism approach of making decisions since my new level of development had allowed me understand that it is unlikely to have a secure basis of decision making. Besides, I developed the post skeptical rationalism which allowed me to always make informed decisions in matters which require personal decisions.
Emotional and Social Development
On emotional and social development, I can recall that my moods experienced huge swings during this stage. I also recall having several cases of friction and disagreement with my parents on issues related to sexual behavior, how to spend my leisure time, money spending and clothing. My greatest challenge was on social identity because race and gender could affect individuals I associated with. However, with time, I was able to come into my sense of self and chose a self-identity which provided me with the highest degree of positive commitment.
Early Adulthood
At my early adulthood, my physical maturation was complete. I could only experience a slight variation in weight and height. Am yet to experience my middle adulthood since am currently aged 34 years. However, at middle adulthood, I may experience presbyopia, decline in hearing and age spots. At my current age, cognitive development is at its peak. At this stage, I am engaging in many activities which are mentally and physically stimulating. My socioemotional development at this level is dependent on work, connectedness and interpersonal relationships. Furthermore, it is at this stage that I expect to marry and have children. Having fully developed in cognitive, physical and socioemotionally, I feel I can comfortably raise my own family.
Late Adulthood
Late adulthood is the last stage of development and will start when I will be about sixty-five years. At this age, my physical strength and endurance will start to decline gradually. Also, I expect to experience physiological changes in brain atrophy, decrease in neural processes, weakening of muscles, drying of skin, hair loss, and decline in sensitivity. Also, cognitive changes such as decline in neural and motor speed will be expected due to decrease in working memory. Despite the existence of intellectual changes in late adulthood, my intellectual ability may not be affected. I can use the patterns or information I have accumulated over the years to solve problems as well as make decisions.
Nature and Nurture
Lastly, I believe that my development throughout life have relied on both nature and nurture. I am the person I am today because of genetics which I acquired from my parents as well as the environment they brought me in. My physical appearance presumes that of my both parents. Also, my cognitive and socioemotional behavior I possess currently were much influenced by the way my parents brought me up. Currently, I have no problems with moral reasoning and temperament. Therefore, I will impact my children with the same virtues so that they can also be responsible at adulthood. However, I intend to have retirement improvements especially in financial savings. I do not want to be a burden to my children during my late adulthood.
