The things we did when we were kids affect our thought processes today.

When we were kids it was completely normal to go play outside and not be fully addicted to our phones. There was no problem speaking in front of the class and sharing ideas and group discussions were looked forward to. 

Miranda Infante, a freshman, said, “ I loved my childhood. I used to love playing games with my sister and going outside. Today people don’t seem to want to do these things anymore; they’d rather be on their phones. I’m not saying that I haven’t done this too but I wish it was different.”

But now, these things may have entirely altered our thinking process. There are an abundant amount of ways we could have been influenced, but here we will discuss the main topics of cognitive development, self-esteem, social skills, and emotional regulation. 

Cognitive Development  

The learning experiences that we encountered early on in our educational careers have shaped the way we problem-solve, and our abstract reasoning. They have also played a big role in our critical analysis abilities. 

These things are known as complex thinking skills. Complex thinking skills are the foundation of learning and figuring out how to go through your daily life. 

Self-Esteem 

Self-esteem or self-confidence can be something that a large amount of teenagers experience. 

In your childhood, positive experiences and situations can result in higher self-assurance and foster a healthy self-image. It is a well-known fact that when you trust yourself, it can lead to more confident decision-making. The opposite can be said about negative childhood experiences, which may lead to self-doubt and insecurity.

Social Skills 

Social skills can be split into two separate categories. Social skills and a subcategory of attachment styles. 

The way that we interact with our peers and relatives has impacted the way that we communicate, and navigate social situations. These situations can also teach us empathy, a skill that more people should try to embody. Conflict resolution is just as important as the rest of the skills in this category if not more important. 

Attachment Styles

As a kid, the quality of time you spend bonding with your parents can greatly influence your ability to form relationships and perceive social interactions. 

When you are involved in a social setting you may look at things in a different light as opposed to someone else. 

Emotional Regulation

People’s early experiences with regulating their emotions can tell you a lot about how we cope with stress and difficult situations. 

When you have situations where you need to put in an exuberant amount of effort to stay calm, you can thank your childhood for that ability. 

I had Janet Chung, a freshman, read these facts and asked her if she could point out things from her childhood and relate them to today, “When I was in elementary school I was in speech and debate, so I attribute my Self-esteem, and ability to speak in public to this.”

We went through some of the most important years of our life in terms of development. But that time is still not over. Your mind is not fully developed until you are 25 years old, so make sure that you are kind to yourself and others to help all of us grow into better people.