childhood neighborhood essay

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Why your childhood neighbors will always be your best friends.

Sunrise to sunset was spent with these kids, you went to the same summer camps, played on the same sports teams, and eventually walked across the same stage at high school graduation.

Growing up we can all think of at least one neighbor, or just someone in the neighborhood who was your absolute best friend, and chances are even to this day you guys are still pretty close. You remember waking up every summer morning, or on the weekends and the first thing you wanted to do was jump out of bed and run, walk, ride your bike, scooter or whatever straight to their house. These are the kids you will remember forever and some of your best memories, and a lot of your childhood pictures are with them.

As a child my neighborhood was pretty close knit, you knew almost everyone and even if you didn’t they still waved to you as you walked or drove by. Friendships were formed even before kindergarten because we all lived so close, and these bonds only grew as we all aged.

Nearly every day growing up was spent with the neighbors playing games outside, riding bikes or on the swing-set. Even the cold winter days were spent building forts, sledding, and having snowball fights, then all going into one friends house for hot cocoa. You never had to worry about getting a ride to their house, or getting picked up when it got to be too late, because your bike was already waiting in the driveway to take you home.

The best part about having friends from the neighborhood was when your parents all became friends too. Summer cookouts, random get togethers, pool parties, birthday parties etc.. were all a blast because all of your best friends were guaranteed to be there if their parents were invited. And a special thank you to the few friends who had pools, you really saved the rest of us on those hot summer days.

Having a neighborhood crew like you guys made everything so much easier. The first day of school can be scary, but I never had to worry about who I would sit next to on the bus, or walking into school alone. And there was never a worry about being bored on a nice day because you guys were always just a doorbell away.

These are the kids you know will always have your back. You did everything imaginable together growing up. And lets be real if your friendship can withstand the awkward, ugly middle school days, it can withstand basically anything. You spent countless days nights at their house, and their family eventually became yours.

Although we all have to grow up at some point (or at least pretend to), and we make new friends along the way, it is pretty safe to say that the kids in my neighborhood that I grew up with, are still the same “kids” I am lucky to have in my life now. While we all might not be as close as we once were, you know you can still always turn to them for good advise or a great time, because what else are friends for?

So shoutout to all the kids from my neighborhood, I will never forget you, and thank you for the memories. I wouldn't have wanted to grow up with anyone else.

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19 lessons i'll never forget from growing up in a small town, there have been many lessons learned..

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

1. The importance of traditions.

Sometimes traditions seem like a silly thing, but the fact of it is that it's part of who you are. You grew up this way and, more than likely, so did your parents. It is something that is part of your family history and that is more important than anything.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

No matter how many times they get on your nerves or make you mad, they are the ones who will always be there and you should never take that for granted.

3. How to give back.

When tragedy strikes in a small town, everyone feels obligated to help out because, whether directly or indirectly, it affects you too. It is easy in a bigger city to be able to disconnect from certain problems. But in a small town those problems affect everyone.

4. What the word "community" really means.

Along the same lines as #3, everyone is always ready and willing to lend a helping hand when you need one in a small town and to me that is the true meaning of community. It's working together to build a better atmosphere, being there to raise each other up, build each other up, and pick each other up when someone is in need. A small town community is full of endless support whether it be after a tragedy or at a hometown sports game. Everyone shows up to show their support.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

People say this to others all the time, but it takes on a whole new meaning in a small town. It is true that life is about the journey, but when you're from a small town, you know it's about the journey because the journey probably takes longer than you spend at the destination. Everything is so far away that it is totally normal to spend a couple hours in the car on your way to some form of entertainment. And most of the time, you're gonna have as many, if not more, memories and laughs on the journey than at the destination.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

Word travels fast in a small town, so don't think you're gonna get away with anything. In fact, your parents probably know what you did before you even have a chance to get home and tell them. And forget about being scared of what your teacher, principle, or other authority figure is going to do, you're more afraid of what your parents are gonna do when you get home.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

Everyone deserves a chance. Most people don't have ill-intentions and you can't live your life guarding against every one else just because a few people in your life have betrayed your trust.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

While small towns are not always extremely diverse, they do contain people with a lot of different stories, struggle, and backgrounds. In a small town, it is pretty hard to exclude anyone because of who they are or what they come from because there aren't many people to choose from. A small town teaches you that just because someone isn't the same as you, doesn't mean you can't be great friends.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

In a small town, you learn that it's okay to be who you are and do your own thing. You learn that confidence isn't how beautiful you are or how much money you have, it's who you are on the inside.

10. How to work for what I want.

Nothing comes easy in life. They always say "gardens don't grow overnight" and if you're from a small town you know this both figuratively and literally. You certainly know gardens don't grow overnight because you've worked in a garden or two. But you also know that to get to the place you want to be in life it takes work and effort. It doesn't just happen because you want it to.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

If you're from a small town, you know that you will probably only meet a handful of people in your life who ACTUALLY know where your town is. And forget about the people who accidentally enter into your town because of google maps. You've gotten really good at giving them directions right back to the interstate.

12. How to be humble.

My small town has definitely taught me how to be humble. It isn't always about you, and anyone who grows up in a small town knows that. Everyone gets their moment in the spotlight, and since there's so few of us, we're probably best friends with everyone so we are as excited when they get their moment of fame as we are when we get ours.

13. To be well-rounded.

Going to a small town high school definitely made me well-rounded. There isn't enough kids in the school to fill up all the clubs and sports teams individually so be ready to be a part of them all.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

In a small town, good luck holding a grudge. In a bigger city you can just avoid a person you don't like or who you've had problems with. But not in a small town. You better resolve the issue fast because you're bound to see them at least 5 times a week.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

One of my favorite things about growing up in a rural area was being able to go outside and go exploring and not have to worry about being in danger. There is nothing more exciting then finding a new place somewhere in town or in the woods and just spending time there enjoying the natural beauty around you.

16. To be prepared for anything.

You never know what may happen. If you get a flat tire, you better know how to change it yourself because you never know if you will be able to get ahold of someone else to come fix it. Mechanics might be too busy , or more than likely you won't even have enough cell service to call one.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

It's okay to ask for help. One thing I realized when I moved away from my town for college, was how much my town has taught me that I could ask for help is I needed it. I got into a couple situations outside of my town where I couldn't find anyone to help me and found myself thinking, if I was in my town there would be tons of people ready to help me. And even though I couldn't find anyone to help, you better believe I wasn't afraid to ask.

18. How to be creative.

When you're at least an hour away from normal forms of entertainment such as movie theaters and malls, you learn to get real creative in entertaining yourself. Whether it be a night looking at the stars in the bed of a pickup truck or having a movie marathon in a blanket fort at home, you know how to make your own good time.

19. To brush off gossip.

It's all about knowing the person you are and not letting others influence your opinion of yourself. In small towns, there is plenty of gossip. But as long as you know who you really are, it will always blow over.

Grateful Beyond Words: A Letter to My Inspiration

I have never been so thankful to know you..

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

You have taught me that you don't always have to strong. You are allowed to break down as long as you pick yourself back up and keep moving forward. When life had you at your worst moments, you allowed your friends to be there for you and to help you. You let them in and they helped pick you up. Even in your darkest hour you showed so much strength. I know that you don't believe in yourself as much as you should but you are unbelievably strong and capable of anything you set your mind to.

Your passion to make a difference in the world is unbelievable. You put your heart and soul into your endeavors and surpass any personal goal you could have set. Watching you do what you love and watching you make a difference in the lives of others is an incredible experience. The way your face lights up when you finally realize what you have accomplished is breathtaking and I hope that one day I can have just as much passion you have.

SEE MORE: A Letter To My Best Friend On Her Birthday

The love you have for your family is outstanding. Watching you interact with loved ones just makes me smile . You are so comfortable and you are yourself. I see the way you smile when you are around family and I wish I could see you smile like this everyday. You love with all your heart and this quality is something I wished I possessed.

You inspire me to be the best version of myself. I look up to you. I feel that more people should strive to have the strength and passion that you exemplify in everyday life.You may be stubborn at points but when you really need help you let others in, which shows strength in itself. I have never been more proud to know someone and to call someone my role model. You have taught me so many things and I want to thank you. Thank you for inspiring me in life. Thank you for making me want to be a better person.

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life..

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Don't freak out

This is a rule you should continue to follow no matter what you do in life, but is especially helpful in this situation.

Email the professor

Around this time, professors are getting flooded with requests from students wanting to get into full classes. This doesn't mean you shouldn't burden them with your email; it means they are expecting interested students to email them. Send a short, concise message telling them that you are interested in the class and ask if there would be any chance for you to get in.

Attend the first class

Often, the advice professors will give you when they reply to your email is to attend the first class. The first class isn't the most important class in terms of what will be taught. However, attending the first class means you are serious about taking the course and aren't going to give up on it.

Keep attending class

Every student is in the same position as you are. They registered for more classes than they want to take and are "shopping." For the first couple of weeks, you can drop or add classes as you please, which means that classes that were once full will have spaces. If you keep attending class and keep up with assignments, odds are that you will have priority. Professors give preference to people who need the class for a major and then from higher to lower class year (senior to freshman).

Have a backup plan

For two weeks, or until I find out whether I get into my waitlisted class, I will be attending more than the usual number of classes. This is so that if I don't get into my waitlisted class, I won't have a credit shortage and I won't have to fall back in my backup class. Chances are that enough people will drop the class, especially if it is very difficult like computer science, and you will have a chance. In popular classes like art and psychology, odds are you probably won't get in, so prepare for that.

Remember that everything works out at the end

Life is full of surprises. So what if you didn't get into the class you wanted? Your life obviously has something else in store for you. It's your job to make sure you make the best out of what you have.

Navigating the Talking Stage: 21 Essential Questions to Ask for Connection

It's mandatory to have these conversations..

Whether you met your new love interest online , through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

1. What do you do for a living?

What someone does for a living can tell a lot about who they are and what they're interested in! Their career reveals a lot more about them than just where they spend their time to make some money.

2. What's your favorite color?

OK, I get it, this seems like something you would ask a Kindergarten class, but I feel like it's always good to know someone's favorite color . You could always send them that Snapchat featuring you in that cute shirt you have that just so happens to be in their favorite color!

3. Do you have any siblings?

This one is actually super important because it's totally true that people grow up with different roles and responsibilities based on where they fall in the order. You can tell a lot about someone just based on this seemingly simple question.

4. What's your favorite television show?

OK, maybe this isn't a super important question, but you have to know ASAP if you can quote Michael Scott or not. If not, he probably isn't the one. Sorry, girl.

5. When is your birthday?

You can then proceed to do the thing that every girl does without admitting it and see how compatible your zodiacs are.

6. What's your biggest goal in life?

If you're like me, you have big goals that you want to reach someday, and you want a man behind you who also has big goals and understands what it's like to chase after a dream. If his biggest goal is to see how quickly he can binge-watch " Grey's Anatomy " on Netflix , you may want to move on.

7. If you had three wishes granted to you by a genie, what would they be?

This is a go-to for an insight into their personality. Based on how they answer, you can tell if they're goofy, serious, or somewhere in between.

8. What's your favorite childhood memory?

For some, this may be a hard question if it involves a family member or friend who has since passed away . For others, it may revolve around a tradition that no longer happens. The answers to this question are almost endless!

9. If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

We all have parts of our lives and stories that we wish we could change. It's human nature to make mistakes. This question is a little bit more personal but can really build up the trust level.

10. Are you a cat or a dog person?

I mean, duh! If you're a dog person, and he is a cat person, it's not going to work out.

11. Do you believe in a religion or any sort of spiritual power?

Personally, I am a Christian, and as a result, I want to be with someone who shares those same values. I know some people will argue that this question is too much in the talking stage , but why go beyond the talking stage if your personal values will never line up?

12. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Even homebodies have a must visit place on their bucket list !

13. What is your ideal date night?

Hey, if you're going to go for it... go for it!

14. Who was/is your celebrity crush?

For me, it was hands-down Nick Jonas . This is always a fun question to ask!

15. What's a good way to cheer you up if you're having a bad day?

Let's be real, if you put a label on it, you're not going to see your significant other at their best 24/7.

16. Do you have any tattoos?

This can lead to some really good conversations, especially if they have a tattoo that has a lot of meaning to them!

17. Can you describe yourself in three words?

It's always interesting to see if how the person you're talking to views their personal traits lines ups with the vibes you're getting.

18. What makes you the most nervous in life?

This question can go multiple different directions, and it could also be a launching pad for other conversations.

19. What's the best gift you have ever received?

Admittedly, I have asked this question to friends as well, but it's neat to see what people value.

20. What do you do to relax/have fun?

Work hard, play hard, right?

21. What are your priorities at this phase of your life?

This is always interesting because no matter how compatible your personalities may be, if one of you wants to be serious and the other is looking for something casual, it's just not going to work.

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Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in challah bread or easter bread.

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

A few weeks ago, I was given a loaf of bread called Challah (pronounced like holla), and upon my first bite, I realized it tasted just like Easter Bread. It was so delicious that I just had to make some of my own, which I did.

The recipe is as follows:

Ingredients

2 tsp active dry or instant yeast 1 cup lukewarm water 4 to 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup white granulated sugar 2 tsp salt 2 large eggs 1 large egg yolk (reserve the white for the egg wash) 1/4 cup neutral-flavored vegetable oil

Instructions

Combine yeast and a pinch of sugar in small bowl with the water and stir until you see a frothy layer across the top.
Whisk together 4 cups of the flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl.
Make a well in the center of the flour and add in eggs, egg yolk, and oil. Whisk these together to form a slurry, pulling in a little flour from the sides of the bowl.
Pour the yeast mixture over the egg slurry and mix until difficult to move.
Turn out the dough onto a floured work surface and knead by hand for about 10 minutes. If the dough seems very sticky, add flour a teaspoon at a time until it feels tacky, but no longer like bubblegum. The dough has finished kneading when it is soft, smooth, and holds a ball-shape.
Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and place somewhere warm. Let the dough rise 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Separate the dough into four pieces. Roll each piece of dough into a long rope roughly 1-inch thick and 16 inches long.
Gather the ropes and squeeze them together at the very top. Braid the pieces in the pattern of over, under, and over again. Pinch the pieces together again at the bottom.
Line a baking sheet with parchment and lift the loaf on top. Sprinkle the loaf with a little flour and drape it with a clean dishcloth. Place the pan somewhere warm and away from drafts and let it rise until puffed and pillowy, about an hour.
Heat the oven to 350°F. Whisk the reserved egg white with a tablespoon of water and brush it all over the challah. Be sure to get in the cracks and down the sides of the loaf.
Slide the challah on its baking sheet into the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through cooking. The challah is done when it is deeply browned.

I kept wondering how these two breads could be so similar in taste. So I decided to look up a recipe for Easter Bread to make a comparison. The two are almost exactly the same! These recipes are similar because they come from religious backgrounds. The Jewish Challah bread is based on kosher dietary laws. The Christian Easter Bread comes from the Jewish tradition but was modified over time because they did not follow kosher dietary laws.

A recipe for Easter bread is as follows:

2 tsp active dry or instant yeast 2/3 cup milk 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 cup white granulated sugar 2 tbs butter 2 large eggs 2 tbs melted butter 1 tsp salt

In a large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, sugar, salt, and yeast; stir well. Combine milk and butter in a small saucepan; heat until milk is warm and butter is softened but not melted.
Gradually add the milk and butter to the flour mixture; stirring constantly. Add two eggs and 1/2 cup flour; beat well. Add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into two equal size rounds; cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Roll each round into a long roll about 36 inches long and 1 1/2 inches thick. Using the two long pieces of dough, form a loosely braided ring, leaving spaces for the five colored eggs. Seal the ends of the ring together and use your fingers to slide the eggs between the braids of dough.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place loaf on a buttered baking sheet and cover loosely with a damp towel. Place loaf in a warm place and let rise until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes. Brush risen loaf with melted butter.
Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 30 minutes.

Both of these recipes are really easy to make. While you might need to have a day set aside for this activity, you can do things while the dough is rising or in the oven. After only a few hours, you have a delicious loaf of bread that you made from scratch, so the time and effort is really worth it!

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Neighborhood circumstances and children’s life chances: Landmark study from Harvard

2015 study from Harvard showing how neighborhood circumstance can have a substantial impact on a child's future earnings.

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License .

by Joanna Penn, The Journalist's Resource May 26, 2015

This <a target="_blank" href="https://journalistsresource.org/economics/neighborhood-circumstances-childrens-life-chances-landmark-study-harvard/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://journalistsresource.org">The Journalist's Resource</a> and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<img src="https://journalistsresource.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/cropped-jr-favicon-150x150.png" style="width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;">

One of the most difficult and complex questions in social science revolves around the precise ways in which geographical circumstance affects people’s life chances — the role of “neighborhood effects.” The question has been studied for decades now, with researchers struggling to disentangle the geographic variable from others that might also influence people’s life chances and outcomes. The cliché in popular discourse is that poor neighborhoods frequently function as “traps,” while better locations are sometimes a springboard to success in life. But to what extent are these notions empirically true? How much do the geographical circumstances of our upbringing affect our ability to succeed later in life?

A landmark 2015 study by Harvard’s Raj Chetty and Nathaniel Hendren, “The Impacts of Neighborhoods on Intergenerational Mobility: Childhood Exposure Effects and Country-Level Estimates,” provides some of the best evidence to date on this issue by analyzing anonymized U.S. tax records (over the period 1996 to 2012) from more than 5 million families. The scholars were able to analyze both tax returns (1040 forms) as well as third-party returns such as W-2 forms, and to compare the long-term results for families and their children that moved to new zip codes with families that did not move.

The study, part of the scholarly Equality of Opportunity Project , found the following:

Growing up in a good neighborhood improves children’s later professional and earnings outcomes directly in proportion to the time they live there; symmetrically, children who moved to worse neighborhoods had worse outcomes as adults.
For children growing up in households with the lowest 25% of incomes, growing up in a better county from birth increases future income by approximately 10%. Good neighborhoods also improve outcomes for wealthier children by a similar dollar amount, but because they tend to earn more anyway, the improvement is less significant as a proportion of their future wages.
Dupage County, Illinois, is the best neighborhood in which to grow up among the top 100 largest counties in the U.S. Each year growing up in Dupage County (Chicago’s western suburbs) raises a child’s household income as an adult by 0.8%, adding up to a 16% advantage for a whole childhood spent there.
In contrast, each year spent growing up in Baltimore, one of the lowest-ranking counties, is associated with a reduction in a child’s later earnings by 0.7%, generating a total earnings penalty of around 14% for a whole childhood spent in the county.
Children from high- and low-income families tended to do worse growing up in urban areas, particularly those with concentrated poverty, compared with those in suburban or rural areas.
Areas with a larger African-American population also tended to have lower rates of upward mobility, and these neighborhood differences have worsened racial inequality across generations. The authors estimate that “roughly one-fifth of the gap in earnings between blacks and whites can be attributed to the counties in which they grow up.”
Neighborhood circumstances ultimately “matter more for boys than girls,” with “some counties such as Baltimore and Wayne County in Detroit producing extremely negative outcomes for boys but less so for girls.” Further, “Areas with high degrees of segregation and sprawl generate particularly negative outcomes for boys relative to girls.”
Geography also produces “significant gender differences related to marriage rates. For example, Northern California generates high levels of individual earnings for girls, but produces lower levels of household income because fewer children get married in their 20s.”

Chetty and Hendren note that the best areas for social mobility tend to have lower levels of segregation by race and income, lower levels of income inequality, better schools, lower rates of violent crime, and a larger proportion of two-parent households. They conclude that “where children grow up affects their outcomes in adulthood in proportion to the time they spend in the place.… Our results highlight that it is exposure during childhood that appears to matter most, up to the early twenties — and that at least 50% of the variation in intergenerational mobility across the U.S. reflects the causal effects of childhood exposure.”

See the New York Times ’ interactive graphic based on this research data: “The Best and Worst Places to Grow Up: How Your Area Compares.”

Related research: A corollary 2015 paper by Chetty and Hendren, along with Harvard’s Lawrence Katz, reviews the impact of the Moving to Opportunity (MTO) experiment from the 1990s, where randomly selected families living in high poverty housing projects in five U.S. cities were given the chance to move to lower-poverty neighborhoods. Unlike previous research, which found no impact of the program on earnings later in life, the study found that if children moved young enough (under 13), the program had a significant impact on their later earnings. Further, it improved their chances of going to college, and for females it improved the chance that they would not become a single parent. In contrast, children who moved later in life under the MTO program felt no such positive impacts on average.

Keywords: children, youth, parenting

About The Author

Joanna Penn

Family & Relationship Issues

Revisiting Your Childhood Home, "Remembrance of Things Past"

Allan Schwartz, LCSW, Ph.D. was in private practice for more than thirty years. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the states ...Read More

Did you ever have the experience of returning to the house you grew up in? If so, did you have the experience that the house and its rooms were much smaller than they seemed when you were a child? Did you remember the backyard as very large only to discover, as an adult, how small it really was?

This is a case study of a man who, when he reached the age of sixty, decided he wanted to visit the old neighborhood. He had several reasons for wanting to do this. When he and his friends got together, there was a tendency to reminisce about the past and life back then. Generally, the theme was about the “good old days,” and how those were the best of times compared to the world now. He hoped to recapture memories of his parents and extended family. Maybe just turning sixty was reason enough for wanting to go back. For one, he had nostalgic feelings about the old place.

However, the outcome of his visit was not good. The man came away feeling depressed and empty. He vowed never to do that again. He discovered that the old neighborhood was narrow, stifling and gloomy. He remembered that this was the reason for moving away and onward with his life.

He realized that those were not the “good” old days, but that the “good” days are right now. Maybe, for some people, memories are better than reality. Indeed, the saying that, “You can’t go home” is true, at least for himself. In case there is any concern about violating confidentiality, that man is me.

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According to Psychology Professor, Jerry Burger, PhD, Santa Clara University, millions of people aged thirty and over, visit the home they lived in approximately from 5 to 12 years of age. For the sake of clarification, they don’t visit people from their past. Their interest is in visiting the home and neighborhood. What are their motivations?

According to Professor Burger, there are three reasons why people visit their childhood homes:

1. They have a wish to reconnect with their childhood. Because many things from the past are forgotten there is a hope that, by going back, they will be able to recapture memories that are important to them.

2. For some individuals who are going through a crisis or problem, there is a need to reflect on their past. They want to reevaluate how they developed their values and what led them to make the decisions they made.

3. As a result of having lived through abuse and trauma or having suffered from some kind of abuse or trauma, there is a hope that by returning to the site where these things happened, they can both find closure and leave with a sense that they have healed.

Dr. Burger reports that, while most people were happy they made the visit, there were three reasons why others weren’t. Much like my case above, these people did not get the hoped for results. For example, they discovered that unlike the romanticized memories, in reality, there was nothing romantic about the place. If they were happy there, they could not recapture that happiness and, for those who experienced abuse and trauma, the visit brought back pain rather than closure.

Returning to the concept of mindful living, too much time is spent living in the past or worrying about the future. A consequence is that we fail to appreciate now. As Thich Nhat Hanh, the great Buddhist teacher of meditation and mindful living, points out, we will never have this moment again, so, live it, experience it, be in the moment.

Your comments and questions are strongly encouraged.

Allan N. Schwartz, PhD

Introduction
How People Change
Family Secrets
What Is Freedom?
Getting Through The Holidays
For College
Making Peace With Elderly Parents
Impact Of Recession On Marriage
Mixed Or Blended Families
New Extended Family
Perfect Family
Personality Disorder Or Just A Horrible Person
Husband Jealous Of My Friends And Family
Is It Just A Name?!
She's Lied About Everything
My Family Is Ruining My Relationship With My Boyfriend
My Boyfriend's Children Won't Accept Me....
Does My Boyfriend Have Feelings For His Ex Wife?
I Have Bulimia
Arranged Marriage
When Is Enough, Enough?
Breaking Up
Soon To Be 15 Year Old Step Daughter Who Is Physically Abusive To Family Members
I Have Everything I Ever Wanted. Why Am I So Miserable?
Should I Stay Or Should I Go?
Is My Sister A Pathological Liar?
Need Help In Building The Bridges
Lack Of Affection And Intimacy
Is He Seeing Someone?
Marriage Question
Respect + Anger Managment
My Husband With Daughter......
Resentment-Controlling Wife/Passive-Agressive Husband
Getting Married, Stepsons With Awful Tempers
Adult Son Interferes With Our Relationship
Can My Marriage Be Saved?
On And Off Relationship For Almost 10yrs
I'm His 2nd Wife. Am I Destined To Play Second Fiddle To His Daughter Forever?
How Do I Get My Husband To The Psychiatrist?
Is It Inappropriate To Call My Daughter...
Trying To Save 37 Years Of Marriage With My Bipolar Husband
Alcoholism And Family
Bipolar Obsessive Thoughts And False Memories
Crazy Mother In Law Ruining Our Mental Health And Relationship
Caught In The Middle Caring For Elderly Parent
I Am A Newlywed And Need Help
Husband's Relationship With His Children
Substance Abuse
Chronically Ill Non-Compliant 19 Year Old
Child With Possible Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
Obsession Or Excuse
The Marriage Corner: How Can I Move Past This?
The Marriage Corner: Do You Think My Marriage Can Be Repaired?
I Am Only 26 Years Old
My Boyfriend Saved A Picture Of A Girl He Slept With In Case We Split Up?
Adoptive Mother Of 3 Children - SunFlower
How To Handle My Mothers State Of Mind?
Should I Fight For My Marriage?
Why Does My Wife's Old Boyfriend Bother Me?
How Do We Get Her To Accept Us As Part Of The Family?
Another Woman
Boyfriends Daughter
How Do I Cope With A Parent Who Is Trying To Ruin Me?
Worried About 4-year-old With Depression
Same Views On So Much, But Can't Get Along As A Couple
It's Me Or It's My Mother?
Considering Divorce After Several Deaths In The Family
Schizophrenia
Please Help Me..
My 19 Year Old Daughter Is Out Of Control
My 19 Year Old Son
I Desperately Want To Make This Work
Marraige Life Of My Parents
Is This Abuse And What Should I Do?
My Girlfriend's Family Is Ruining Our Relationship
I Feel Like I Have Failed - - May 20th 2010
Relationship With My Bipolar And ADHD Girlfriend
Huge Disapointment With My Husband
I Don't Really Care About Anything. What Should I Do?
What Should I Do?
My Father, The Sociopath...
What Is Wrong?
What Should I Do With My 19 Year-Old Daughter's Anger Issue?
Dominating Mother
How To Help Our College Age Son With Depression And Addiction
Personal Hygiene
Help Me Please. What Is Going On With Me?
Parenting A Bipolar Child, Not Quite A Child, Not Quite An Adult
Am I Being Used?
Is This Jealous Behaviour Normal In A Child?
Grandson Behavior
Husband's Addiction
Help Or Do Nothing?
Pregnant Again
Are My Past Sexual Fantasies Dangerous And Unusual?
It Is Finally An Emergency. We Need Help. Please.
Trauma And Drama: Why Are Friends And Family Rejecting Me?
Why Is My Mom Following Me Around To Take Over My Life?
Does My Husband Have Bipolar Although The Doctors Said He Doesn't?
How To Ask If The Pics Are Her?
Did I Push Them Too Much?
How Do You Turn Your Back On Your 19 Year Old Daughter?
What To Do With A Dysfunctional Past
SHOULD GRANDPARENTS INSIST ON SEEING A GRANDCHILD
My Husband Wants To Leave Me
My Husband No Longer Believes
My Son's Problem
Why Do I Beat Myself Up Over What They Think?
Bipolar Sister, Narcissist Boyfriend
Understanding My Son
Worried About My Son
Child Jealous Of Moms Relationship With Her New Husband
This Guy I Bully
Is There Help Out There? Lonely Mother Of Three
Am I Depressed?
Should I Give Up On This Marriage?
Dealing With Demanding Mother
Can You Give Me Some Advice Please?
17 Year Old Running The House
My Needy Son Hates My Boyfriend. How Can I Avoid Choosing One Over The Other?
Two Intelligent Adults Who Feel They Don't Have Friends
19 Year Old Daugter--Out Of Control
17 Yr Old Refuses Help With Bi-polar Disorder
Teen In Full Retreat
Out Of Control 16 Year Old Nephew
I Need Help With My Sister
Get Supported
Forgotten Or Just Ignored?
Dealing With A Family Member's Complete Personality Change
Mother Showering & Sleeping In Same Bed With 5 Year Old
Zoloft - Good Or Bad
My Little Sister
Unattractive Regardless, Why Bother?
Coping With Narcissistic Behavior
How To Deal With The Loss Of Family
Husband's Anger
Did I Love My Husband And Still Abuse Him Emotionally
I Have A Hard Time Making Friends With Other Guys
How To Communicate To A 'feeler'
How Can I Control Morbid Jealousy
How Can I Open Up And Become My Old Self Again?
Advice For My Unhappily Married Friend
How Can I Tell The Difference?
Cannot Support Old Friend In Her Affair
Is Something Wrong With Her?
Need To Find A Reason For The Abuse
Mom's Unlisted Number
How To Help A Womanizing Friend?
'Extremely Controling' Wife And Passive Husband
A Habitual Liar's Lament
The Way Out Is Through The Door
Drug Addict Son
Angry At Ex-Boyfriend
Violent Sister
A Marriage Outside The Caste
Seeing A Married Man
A Mean, Verbally Abusive Woman
Mom's Protector
Busted By A 5-Year-Old
Getting Along With Narcissistic Relatives
Possibly Molested Daughter
Dirty Niece
Congenital Laziness
Is Anxiety A Hereditary Factor?
Abusive Father
Self-Abusive Step-Daughter
Paranoid Depression
(Wo)man In The Middle
Dysfunctional Family
My Mother Is Ruining My Life
Cowardly Stepdad
Daughter's Violent Marriage
My Father Dislikes Him
Histrionic Sister-in-Law
Personality Disordered Grandmother
Mom's Venting
Unhappy In An Arranged Marriage
Toxic Parents
Boarding School Blues
A Situation For Tough Love?
Depression Affects The Entire Family
Internet Relationship
I Want To Leave, But For The Children ...
Public Menace
Self-Injuring Sister
Family Boundaries
Dealing With Divorce
Blossoming Paranoia?
Trashed House
What To Treat First?
Love Triangle
Problematic Parents
Managing Priorities
Mommy's New Boyfriend
Busy And Wanting
He's Not Himself
Jealous Of My Fiance's Family
Different Religions
My Dad The Dictator
My Children Aren't Speaking..
Dogs Instead Of Children?
My Wife Is Depressed
Problems With My Daughter
Anorexia Impacts The Whole Family
Family Therapy Near Me - How To Find A Family Therapist
Love Means Knowing How To Say You're Sorry
Until Next Time: The Benefit Of Healthy Goodbyes
Improve Your Relationships In Two Minutes
When Is It Time To End A Relationship With A Lover, Friend Or Family Member?
Learning To Navigate In-law Relationships As Newlyweds
Working With Siblings Toward Caregiving Solutions - Part II
When Caregiving Creates Tension Among Siblings - Part I
Managing Tense Family Relationships During The Holidays - Part II
Managing Tense Family Relationships During The Holidays - Part I
What Is A Family "System?"
Redefining The Idea Of "Relationship"
Challenges Increase For Family Caregivers When Cognitive And Behavioral Issues Are Present
What Keeps A Family Together?
The Cultural Dimensions Of Family
Cultivating Healthy Relationships Take Practice; Lots Of It
Four Traits Of A Healthy Family
Eight Tips For Talking To Your Aging Parents About Important Issues
Establishing Healthy Family Relational Boundaries
Helping Adult Children Affects Well-Being Of Older Parents
Can You Really Multitask?
Toxic Families: Navigating The Challenges Of Being A Family Scapegoat
Holidays And Family Conflict
Facing Grief And Loss During The Holidays
The Holidays And The Meaning Of Giving
The Problem Of Children And Blended Families
When A Family Is Dysfunctional, The Deadlock In Washington
The Elderly, Terminally Sick And Assisted Suicide
Parents, The Empty Nest And Grads At Home
The Emotional Needs Of Older Adults
Parents Who Cannot Let Go
Celebrating The Ordinary
Family Life: Some Thoughts About The Role Of The Father
Does Parental Longevity Impact Children's Personality?
Roles In Relationships
Creative Couple/Family Counseling: Discovering The Paradoxical Pass In The Impasse
Dementia Affects The Whole Family
Imago Relationship Therapy
Marriage And "That Seven Year Itch"
The Family: Its Stories And Myths
Acceptable, Cute Aggression
Childhood Television Viewing And Violent Behavior
Making Your Relationship Work
5 Habits Of Emotionally Intelligent Families
Own Being Responsible? -- Absolutely, Make Others Responsible? -- You Must Be Kidding!
Nagging...or Motivational Speaking?
A Lighthearted Response To Holiday Family Dysfunction
Grieving My Father's Death: 46 Years Later
When The Holidays Aren't So Jolly - Tips For Coping
Don't Rain On The Parade
Men, Women And Dysfunctional Relating
Marriage, Are You Afraid Of Emotional Intimacy?
Warning: Child Centered Is Not Child Friendly!
Should I Divorce My Parents Or Forgive Them?
"Love And Logic" Principles Of Parenting
Independence Day, The Importance Of Democracy
On Laughing And Laughter
Is Your Partner Still Relating To His/Her Ex?
Families And Groups With Rigid Boundaries
Adoption, Finding The Birth Parents
My Mother/Father Has Alzheimer's Disease
Moving Back Home Again
Boundaries And The Addicted Family
Family Boundaries And The Parentified Child
Am I Ugly? A Discussion Of The Young Teenager In Trouble
Parents, Students, Teachers And Academic Performance - Everyone Plays A Role
The Impact Of Divorce On Families
Bipolar Disorder, Receiving The Diagnosis
Catch A "Wild Pitch?" You Must Be Kidding!
Why Do Couples Divorce?
Admit Fault And Move On
Divorce And Remarriage, The Blending Of Families
Why Do People Marry?
Violence Within Marriage
How To Have A Happy Marriage
A Requiem For A "Last Angry Man"
Violence Against Women
Impulse Control, Wanting...Waiting...Savoring
The Substance Abuser And Multi Family Systems Therapy, Part One
"On Being Certain," A Wonderful Book By Robert A. Burton, MD
Mental Illness, A Failure To Understand
The Only And Correct Way To Parent
Work And Family, Are Boundaries Fading?
The Impact Of Divorce On...
Fathers And Father's Day
When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade: Coping With Depression As A Result Of Economic Stress
Revisiting Your Childhood Home, "Remembrance Of Things Past"
April 15th: What Are You Worth?
Some Reflections On Successful Marriages
Teenagers, Technology And Parents
Stepfamily Success: How Do You Know When You Can Relax?
Anger Throughout The Generations
Family Dinner, Do Families Interact And Talk To Each Other Any Longer?
Step Dads, Don't Expect To Bring Order Into Your New Family
He Doesn't Feel The Same Way About Me...
Of Marriage, Money And Lies
Strategies For Success For Stepmothers
"That's Not Fair,...."
Narcissistic Vs. Antisocial Or Sociopathic Personality Disorders
Marriage, Family, Stress And Finances
How To Protect Your Marriage In A Step Family
It's About Relationships, Not Food!
Stepfamily, Blended Family, Remarried Family Or Married With Baggage Family?
Grandparents Raising Their Grandchildren
A Debate Rages Over Education And Parenting
Things I Learned From My Father's Dying
Choosing To Be Childless, Is It Selfish?
Setting Healthy Limits--It Can Be An All-Win!
Managing Holiday Stress: Families + Holidays Do Not Always = Warm And Fuzzy Times
Student Academic Performance
Life, Death And Relationships
The Pleasure, Beauty And Power Of Music
Coping With People Who Are "Difficult"
"My Mother Is Ruining My Life"
Of Babies And Kisses And Hugs
Empathy Vs. Blame
A Legacy Of Two Elders
Common And Mature Defenses, And Beyond
Narcissism And What's Underneath
Child Abuse And The Role Of Parental Denial
Women Who Love Too Much, Are You One Of Them?
Some Thoughts About Perception, Communication And Disagreement:
Teenagers And Depression: Their Families And Psychotherapy
On Demeaning, Devaluing And Bullying: Discussions Of Points Of View
Married 40 Years....And We Never Had ONE Fight
Family Therapy: A Different Approach To Psychotherapy
On The Family As A System And The Problem Of Triangulation
Arguing And Marriage: Go Together Like A Horse And Carriage
Depression And Marriage
How Do You Cope When A Loved One Has An Addiction?
Handling The Stress Of The 2008 Holiday Season
On Loneliness, Warmth And Making Friends
Birthdays, Graduations And Other Celebrations:
Infidelity, Why Do People Cheat?
The Influence Of Culture On The Expression Of Depression
Some Thoughts About Multiple Births
On Fathers On Father's Day
Summer Vacation, Children And Adolescents
Teenage Self Injury
"I Owe, I Owe, So Off To Work I Go," Spending, Debt And Stress
Memories: Who Is Correct?
Denial: The Good And Bad Of This Defense Mechanism For Relationships
Transference: The Patient's Love For The Therapist And An Answer To A Graduate Student's Question
Involving Fathers In The Treatment Of Children With ADHD
On The Importance Of Fathers
Couples And Quarrelling
The End Of Vacation, Back To School And Work
The Empty Nest, Or Is It?
Addiction And The Family
In The Middle
Mother's Influence On Psychological And Physical Health Extends To Old Age
Adult ADHD: The Importance Of Learning Social Skills
Interfaith Dating And Marriage
Money And Marriage
Communication Challenges With Family And Friends
If Not Now, When?
"But You Can Choose Your Friends"
Eating Disorders And Family Boundaries
Can Men And Women Be Friends?
Codependent And Enabling Behaviors
Marriage And Friendship
Points Of View
Non Verbal Communication
Bulimia Nervosa
"Why Didn't I?"
Stuffing It: The Culture Of Not Speaking
Single And Satisfied: Is Marriage Still In?
Lonliness Leads To High Blood Pressure ...
Family Squabbles Can Derail Recovery From Cancer Surgery
Sibling Bullies May Leave Lasting Effects
Family Troubles Tied to Poorer Dental Health, Study Discovers
Family Meals May Defuse Cyberbullying's Impact, Study Says
When Parents Need Care, Daughters Carry the Burden: Study
Health Tip: Avoiding Parental Burnout
Spats, Conflicts Can Raise a Woman's Blood Pressure
Frequent Arguments Might Be the Death of You
How You Parent Is Partly Genetic, Study Suggests
Life Issues
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Mens Health
What Is Addiction?
Signs, Symptoms, & Effects Of Addiction
What Causes Addiction?
Mental Health, Dual-Diagnosis, & Behavioral Addictions
Addiction Treatment
Addiction Recovery
Information On Specific Drugs
Homosexuality And Bisexuality
Internet Addiction
Childhood Mental Disorders
ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Anxiety Disorders
Bipolar Disorder
Depression: Major Depression & Unipolar Varieties
Eating Disorders
Childhood Mental Disorders And Illnesses
Dissociative Disorders
Impulse Control Disorders
Internet Addiction And Media Issues
Intellectual Disabilities
Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Somatic Symptom And Related Disorders
Tourettes And Other Tic Disorders
Physical Mental Illness Flipbook
Suicide Rates Vector Map
Alzheimers Disease And Other Cognitive Disorders
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Colds And Flu
Crohns Disease / Irritable Bowel
Heart Disease
High Blood Pressure
Memory Problems
Men's Health
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Sleep Disorders
Women's Health
Anger Management
Mindfulness
Stress Reduction And Management
Weight Loss
Disabilities
Domestic Violence And Rape
Grief & Bereavement Issues
Pain Management
Relationship Problems
Self Esteem
Terrorism & War
Health Insurance
Health Policy & Advocacy
Health Sciences
Mental Health Professions
Alternative Mental Health Medicine
Medications
Psychological Testing
Psychotherapy
Virtual Outpatient Eating Disorder Treatment
Child Development And Parenting: Infants
Child Development And Parenting: Early Childhood
Sexuality & Sexual Problems
Homosexuality & Bisexuality
Aging & Geriatrics
Death & Dying
Physical Development: Motor Development
Vygotsky's Social Developmental Emphasis
Bullying & Peer Abuse
Family And Relationship Issues
Grief And Bereavement

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Hometown — Memories of My Childhood Home

Memories of My Childhood Home

Categories: Childhood Memories Hometown House

About this sample

Words: 612 |

Published: Apr 8, 2022

Words: 612 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Works Cited

Smith, J. (2018). The Significance of Childhood Homes in Shaping Identity. Journal of Family Psychology, 25(2), 123-145.
Johnson, L. M. (2019). Exploring the Influence of Home Environments on Children's Emotional Well-being. Child Development, 90(3), 789-804.
Brown, A. R. (2020). The Role of Personal Spaces in Children's Development: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 42, 234-250.
Davis, C. E. (2017). The Impact of Home Design on Family Interactions and Relationships. Family Relations, 66(1), 76-89.
Adams, R. (2016). The Symbolic Meaning of Colors in Home Exteriors: A Cross-cultural Perspective. Journal of Environmental Aesthetics, 38(2), 167-184.
Thomas, M. (2018). The Influence of Natural Environments on Psychological Well-being. Journal of Happiness Studies, 20(4), 1123-1145.
White, S. (2019). The Power of Childhood Spaces: Memories and Nostalgia. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 47, 87-99.
Peterson, E. (2017). The Role of Personalization in Creating a Sense of Home. Environment and Behavior, 49(5), 513-532.
Thompson, R. (2018). The Connection Between Childhood Home Characteristics and Attachment Styles in Adulthood. Attachment & Human Development, 20(3), 275-293.
Miller, T. (2019). The Impact of Childhood Home Environment on Psychological Resilience in Adulthood. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 65, 101130.

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This shooting changed my view on how life can change in an instant, as I watched a small town community join together in mourning. For me, it was not just the loss of five lives, it was the loss of my sense of safety. The blanket of “small-town living” being ripped away, feeling completely exposed to the wrath of the world. Yet the problem I see is not the tragedy itself, it is what people are doing about it. Whether it be posting hashtags, protesting, or spiraling into depression, it just wasn’t right. But what did I do? At first I was lost, and I kept asking myself: “What can I do?”

Being A Homeless Kid Essay

A homeless kid’s fate turns on the next encounter. There are too many disadvantaged young people in all places. There are those who are fortunate enough to go to a homeless shelter, and live life that is a little improved than on the streets. Then there are isolated and defeated kids. Kids in towns and cities who are without youth shelters; asylums to escape from the dangers of the streets, are uncertain of their future.

Best Childhood Memories Essay Ideas: 94 Narrative Topics [2024]

Many people believe that childhood is the happiest period in a person’s life. It’s not hard to see why. Kids have nothing to care or worry about, have almost no duties or problems, and can hang out with their friends all day long.

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An essay about childhood gives an opportunity to plunge into your memories. All you need to do is recollect those happy days and write a brilliant essay! In this article by Custom-Writing.org , you’ll find great tips and topic ideas to kickstart the process.

🔝 Top 10 Topics
💡 Coming Up with Ideas
🧸 Childhood Memories Essay Topics
✍️ Writing Examples & Guide
🔍 References

🔝 Top 10 Childhood Topics to Write About

Your favorite holiday memory.
Your brightest memories of winter.
Your earliest school memory.
Your first visit to a farm.
What was your favorite toy?
Do you remember your granny’s kitchen?
Your childhood memories of your parents.
Your best childhood friend.
Things that you initially disliked at school.
Experiments with physics in childhood.

💡 Coming Up with Childhood Memories Essay Ideas

Perhaps you got lost in your memories and cannot choose the best one to describe in your essay. Or maybe you have a bad memory and cannot recollect something specific to write about. If that’s the case, here are some recommendations for you.

Childhood Memories List: How to Write

Don’t know where to start? Try creating a list of your memories to decide which ones you need for your paper.

The picture shows examples of what to include in a childhood memories essay.

There are our top tips on making a childhood memories list:

Write down everything that comes to your mind. What are some significant memories from your childhood? Every little experience starting with your earliest memory matters. Of course, you don’t need all of this information for your essay. Still, it will help your brain to start working in the right direction.
Try to focus on specific things such as holidays, trips, or food. Everybody’s favorite childhood memories are often connected with them. Remarkable events also might include school, neighborhood, hometown, presents you received, and your achievements. Nostalgia is your best friend in this case.
Divide your memories into categories. Good childhood experiences such as receiving a dream present or adopting a pet belong to one category. Life-changing events, key achievements, and unfortunate accidents can go into other categories.
Try not to avoid bad childhood memories. It’s not the most pleasant thing in this task. But sometimes, writing about bad situations or challenges is a good strategic decision for your paper. It can also help your personal growth.

How to Remember Childhood Memories

What is your earliest memory? A frightening fall down the stairs? Or perhaps blowing candles on your second birthday? Whatever the content, it is probably short and vague.

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When we grow older, our recollections of early childhood become fragmentary . In fact, a profound memory loss occurs, which psychologists call infantile amnesia (you can learn more about it from the article “ New perspectives on childhood memory ”). Memories formed during early childhood are more fragile than those formed later in life.

That’s why it’s a great idea to write down our childhood recollections. This way, they’ll stay with us even after they lose their rich vividness and start to fade altogether.

Naturally, you can’t keep everything in your head. Some childhood memories will stay with you forever, while others vanish during your teenage years. Remembering something you have forgotten is not an easy task.

Here’s a way out: use this checklist to recall your childhood experiences:

Feeling completely out of ideas? Or maybe you can’t think of a specific topic? Keep reading to learn how to generate new ideas and write a great childhood memories essay.

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🧸 Childhood Memory Essays Topics List

Favorite childhood memory ideas.

Meeting Santa at a mall
A gift you’ve created yourself
First time you stayed up all night
Your first visit to an amusement park
Your favorite children’s book or comic
Your best childhood camping memory
The craziest fact you’ve learned as a child
Memory about winning a school competition
What was the most fun school assignment?
Your favorite food at the elementary school cafeteria

Early Childhood Memories Essay Topics

Kindergarten is often the place where kids start socializing for the first time. Think about your experiences with friends and teachers, as well as with your family. These topic ideas will help you get on the right track:

The first day in kindergarten . Kindergarten is a new world for a child. It has an unfamiliar environment, new people, and rules. This essay can aim at discussing feelings and expectations that accompany a child on their first day.
Describe the first pet you had in early childhood. Almost all families have a pet that they love. Often pets are given to children as presents. This essay can relate the best moments spent with a pet when you were little.
A relative who was closest to you in early childhood. Every child has a family member with whom they enjoy spending time. It could easily be a parent, a grandparent, a sibling , or perhaps an uncle. Write about exciting moments related to your beloved relatives.
Your first childhood hobby . Most people had hobbies when they were kids. This initial interest sometimes determines one’s future occupation. Here, you can describe the activities you used to do as a little child. Focus on the events associated with your first hobby .
Festive events in kindergarten . During the whole year, people celebrate many holidays. Naturally, kindergartens hold festive events to amuse children. This essay can portray the unforgettable celebrations in kindergarten .
Describe family gatherings from your childhood.
A typical day in your kindergarten.
What’s the first birthday celebration you remember?
Activities or games in kindergarten .
Your first Halloween costume.
Things that you didn’t like in kindergarten.
Write about your relationship with nature in early childhood.
Describe a performance you took part in when you were little.
What was the best teacher in your kindergarten like?
Discuss the book or story you loved the most in early childhood.

Elementary School Memories Essay Topics

Would you like to look back at your elementary school days? This section is just what you need. Check out these ideas and get inspired:

How you met your first teacher. Teachers lead children through a complicated yet exciting path. That’s why we all remember our teachers, especially the first day of meeting them. This essay can recount the brightest moments associated with this event. Additionally, you might describe the teacher’s appearance and personality .
The most challenging lesson in elementary school . You can probably recall numerous lessons from your school years. This essay can aim at describing positive and negatives aspects of studies, as well as your favorite classes.
Memories about extracurricular activities in school. It could be sports, artistic pursuits, or activities related to specific subjects. Describe your personal preferences and say who inspired you to start doing them.
Celebration events at school. Celebrations create the brightest and most joyful memories. In this essay, you can share personal experiences about such events, be it school performances, shows, or games.
Who was your best school teacher ? Describe the personalities of your favorite teachers and explain why you liked them.
Write about a person who helped with school lessons .
What did your first school building look like?
Describe what you daydreamed about in school.
Wonderful hikes or trips organized by the school.
What were your plans for the future growing up?
Write about going to a museum with your class.
Memories of participation in school sports activities.
Recall your participation in writing for a school newspaper .
Did you take part in any important school activities or events?

Happy Childhood Memories Essay Topics

When writing about your childhood, you’d probably prefer recalling happy events rather than sad ones. But what if you don’t know which pleasant memory to choose? This list will help you make up your mind!

The best birthday party ever. Recall the most exciting details associated with it. For example, describe some beautiful presents and a celebratory atmosphere.
The day you’ve met your first love . Write about the impressions, feelings, and the most treasured memories associated with that day.
Recall the best day spent with your childhood friend. Recount the activities and events that made you happy.
The most significant achievement in childhood. Recall your achievements connected with the studies, sports, or arts. You can start by describing the task you’ve had, explain its importance, and thank the people who helped you.
The day you made somebody happy . This essay can describe the instances where you helped others. What were your motivations, and why did it make you happy?
Describe the best school gathering you can remember. Schools often organize parties where students can have fun. This essay can recount the circumstances and special moments related to such a party.
Recall a fictional character you liked the most in childhood.
Write about the best present you gave to someone when you were little.
Describe the best surprise made by friends or relatives in childhood.
The most wonderful journey or trip in childhood.
A sad event that changed things for the better.
What were the happiest summer holidays in your childhood like?
Chronicle the day when your childhood dream came true.
Write about your childhood fear and how you overcame it.
Tell about getting a good grade for an important assignment.
Describe the first home where your family lived.

Funny Childhood Memories Essay Ideas

Writing about a funny event is perhaps the best option you can choose. You’ll enjoy describing it, and your readers will appreciate you for making them laugh! Here are some prompts to kickstart the creative process.

Recollect your childhood actions that make your relatives laugh. Children often behave in interesting, comical, and amusing ways. This essay can detail some fun moments that your parents remember.
Amusing and funny moments in your favorite cartoons . You probably remember many great cartoons from your childhood. What made them funny? Do you still find them entertaining?
The funniest pranks you did at school. If you were a mischievous child, this topic is for you. Recall various funny, elaborate, or even failed pranks you did at school.
Describe the first time you rode a bicycle . Learning to ride a bike is a staple of many childhoods. It’s challenging, but once you master it, you will never forget how to ride it!
What tricks used to help you pass difficult exams ? Usually, students make cribs or copy someone else’s answers. You can describe more creative ways of passing exams.
Poking fun at younger siblings . If you have brothers and sisters, you probably tease each other. How do you feel about such activities? Do you both have a good laugh, or did somebody get upset?
Playing superheroes in childhood. Many children have favorite superheroes such as Batman , Spiderman, Ironman, and others. What were your personal favorites? Did you try to imagine you have superpowers?
Describe the most ridiculous haircut you’ve had when you were little.
Funny moments with your school teachers.
Did you have an imaginary friend? What were they like?
Trying to cook in childhood.
What tricks did you use to hide bad marks from your parents?
Attempts to renovate your childhood room.

Childhood Christmas Memories Topics

Christmas is the favorite holiday of many children. Were you one of them? Choose your essay title from this list on Christmas memories:

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What is the best Christmas present from your childhood? Describe the present, the wrapping, and your emotions related to it. Why did you want it so much? You can also try to remember where this present is now.
Describe a family Christmas trip that you enjoyed the most as a child. Answer the following questions. What were the new places you have seen? What were the new people you met? How much time did you spend there? Did you feel homesick? What did you feel when you returned home?
What was your favorite pastime during the Christmas holidays in childhood? For example, you can write about watching cartoons or playing with your siblings. Or maybe you enjoyed winter sports and walking with your friends.
Was Christmas your favorite holiday in childhood? Explain why or why not. Create a list of the things that you did and didn’t enjoy. You can also compare Christmas with other holidays. Find several arguments to defend your opinion.
Describe the best Christmas present you gave somebody in childhood . It can be something you made yourself or bought. Explain why you chose this gift and what was the recipient’s reaction. What did you want to show with this present? Was it your idea to give it? How did you choose it? Answer these questions in your essay.
What are your favorite Christmas memories ? You have a wide choice here. You can describe family get-togethers, receiving or giving presents, eating sweets, or having fun while resting from school.
Describe your favorite childhood Christmas photo . Explain why it is so valuable to you. Define the people or objects in the picture. Try to remember who took it and what camera was they used. Also, provide some information about the time and place.
Write about your family’s Christmas traditions .
Describe your favorite Christmas decorations in childhood.
When was the time you stopped believing in Santa Claus?
What was your favorite Christmas movie in childhood?
Write about the Christmas dishes did you enjoy the most as a child.
What was your favorite Christmas TV special ?
What were your favorite Christmas songs when you were little?
Describe the perfect Christmas Eve of your childhood.
Tell about the friends you liked to invite to your Christmas parties.

These recollections can form a great foundation for your essay. Because childhood is often the best time in a person’s life, writing essays on your childhood experiences can be a real pleasure. If you try to be creative and choose a unique topic, you are sure to succeed in writing an impressive essay.

✍️ “My Childhood Memories” Essay Writing Guide

Writing about your childhood is an exciting assignment that has some peculiarities. Let’s explore some of them.

Childhood Memories Essay: Dos and Don’ts

Your main task is to make the reader feel like they’ve experienced the memory you described. There are certain elements that you can include in your essay to make it stand out. Similarly, some things are better to avoid.

Keep these things in mind, and you will surely write a perfect composition.

Childhood Memories Essay: Step by Step

Follow these steps of the essay writing process, and you will see that writing a good essay on your childhood memories is not as challenging as it may seem.

The picture shows the main steps in writing a childhood memories essay.

Narrative Essay on Childhood Memories: Outline

Every essay must have a proper structure. That’s why it’s useful to make a short outline before you start writing. It will keep you from losing your way as you write your essay. It also saves you time! If you have a plan, you won’t miss any important points in your essay.

Your paper should include:

After you’ve finished writing, revise and edit your essay . Make sure your paragraphs are written in a logical order. Read your essay aloud so that you can see how it flows and determine where you need to improve it.

Try our memory-activating prompts and follow these writing tips to compose your perfect childhood memories essay! If you’re not sure that you can write a good paper on your own, you can always ask our experts to help you out.

🔗 References

The Fate of Childhood Memories: Children Postdated Their Earliest Memories as They Grew Older
Can You Trust Your Earliest Childhood Memories?: BBC
How to Start Writing Your Own Childhood Memories for Posterity: HobbyLark
650 Prompts for Narrative and Personal Writing: The New York Times
Bright Side Readers Shared 14 Childhood Stories and We Plunged Into Their Memories Together: Brightside
Great Questions: StoryCorps
Introductions and Conclusions: University of Toronto
Make a List: Childhood Memories: Practical Parenting
Tips to Retrieve Old Memories: Harvard University
Make the Most of Your Memory: 10 Tips for Writing About Your Life: Writer’s Digest
Childhood Christmas Memories: DNA Explained
What Do Your Earliest Childhood Memories Say about You?: The Conversation
Can’t Remember Your Childhood? What Might Be Going On: Healthline
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A List of 272 Informative Speech Topics: Pick Only Awesome Ideas! [2024]

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I had to write If you had a time machine where would you go and what would you do and who do you talk to? So I wanted to write about childhood But I couldn’t find that I wanted

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Your childhood neighbourhood can influence how your genes work – new study

Reader in Developmental Psychopathology, King's College London

PhD candidate in clinical psychology, Duke University

Disclosure statement

Helen Fisher receives funding from the British Academy, the Chief Scientist Office, the Economic and Social Research Council, MQ Transforming Mental Health charity, the Medical Research Council, the Natural Environment Research Council, and the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Aaron Reuben receives funding from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

King's College London provides funding as a member of The Conversation UK.

View all partners

Numerous studies have shown that children who grow up in more deprived neighbourhoods tend to have worse physical health as adults compared to those raised in more affluent areas. This is the case even when researchers take into account family income and education, and whether or not parents have major illnesses.

In order to address this health disparity, researchers need to understand how those living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods end up with worse health outcomes. Our team’s latest study has highlighted one potential way your childhood neighbourhood may influence your health for years to come. It might do so through changing how the activity of your genes is regulated.

Gene regulation or “epigenetics” is the process of turning on or off genes. It’s an important part of how our bodies develop over time. For instance, a certain group of genes are turned on to increase hormone production during puberty. We call the set of ways that your genes are regulated your “epigenome”.

We found that children who were raised in communities marked by more economic deprivation, physical dilapidation, social disconnection and danger, displayed differences from their peers in their epigenomes. This was in comparison to those who grew up in well-off neighbourhoods, which had cleaner air and were more socially connected, safe and well looked after.

The epigenome is made up of proteins and chemical compounds that can change the activity of our genes by attaching to segments of our DNA. This doesn’t alter the DNA sequence but instead influences how our genes work. It can turn on a gene so it produces certain proteins, or turn it off so it doesn’t.

These proteins play a critical role in our bodies and are required for the structure, function and regulation of our tissues and organs. Activating genes that were dormant can sometimes have devastating effects. For example, this can allow a cancerous tumour to grow. But turning off genes can also interfere with normal development, such as preventing bones from growing.

For our study, we looked at the epigenomes of around 2,000 children born in England and Wales between 1994 and 1995, who we have been following over the past two decades. They grew up in neighbourhoods representing the full spectrum of socioeconomic conditions in the wider UK.

We used diverse data sources to characterise the physical, social, economic, and health and safety characteristics of these neighbourhoods. These sources included local government and criminal justice databases, systematic observations of images from Google Street View, and surveys with other residents.

This information was then compared with epigenetic data derived from blood samples that study members provided when they were 18. This is well before most people develop life-limiting health conditions such as cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes.

We found that in children who grew up in more disadvantaged neighbourhoods, there were already differences in the regulation of genes previously linked with chronic inflammation and the development of lung cancer, and with exposure to cigarette smoke and outdoor air pollution. This was the case even in those participants who didn’t smoke or actually have high levels of inflammation, both of which are known risk factors for heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer.

For example, participants raised in more disadvantaged neighbourhoods showed differences in the regulation of the CYP1A1 gene. This gene is thought to be involved in the way the body deals with chemicals commonly found in cigarette smoke and outdoor air pollution known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons .

These epigenetic changes put a person at greater risk of developing lung cancer. This means children from disadvantaged neighbourhoods might be more prone to the negative health consequences of exposure to cigarette smoke and air pollution. And this may put them at greater risk of developing poor health outcomes such as cancer later on.

Our findings lend support to the idea that gene regulation may be one way that neighbourhood disadvantage causes long-term health disparities. The findings also suggest that outwardly healthy children from disadvantaged neighbourhoods may enter adulthood wired differently at the cellular level, which may lead to poorer health outcomes later on.

This is in line with previous research, such as a study of over 1,000 older adults living in the US that showed people living in disadvantaged communities displayed differences in the regulation of genes linked to chronic stress and inflammation. Again, these have both been linked to poor health.

It’s not possible to know yet whether the epigenetic differences we saw in young adults are lasting or if they could be modified. That’s something we will continue to research.

But our findings are an important reminder that our genes and where we’re raised work together to shape our health. Based on our findings it may be essential to start taking steps early to alter the large disparities in health and mortality currently affecting disadvantaged communities.

Epigenetics
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Home Essay Samples Life

Essay Samples on Childhood Memories

Childhood memories are some of the most cherished moments of our lives. They are memories of innocence, fun, and carefree times that we often look back on with nostalgia. Writing an essay on childhood memories is a great way to reflect on those times and share them with others.

When writing an essay about childhood memories, it is important to start by brainstorming all the memories that stand out to you. Think about specific events, people, and places that hold special meaning for you. This will help you organize your thoughts and create an outline for your essay.

One approach to writing an essay on childhood memories is to focus on a single event or moment that had a significant impact on you. For example, you could write about the time you learned to ride a bike, your first day of school, or a family vacation that you will never forget.

Another option is to write a more general essay about your childhood experiences. You could talk about the games you played, the friends you had, and the places you visited. This type of essay can be a great way to share your memories with others and create a sense of nostalgia.

Whether you focus on a specific event or write a more general essay, be sure to use descriptive language and sensory details to create a vivid picture of your childhood experiences. Use our extensive base of essay samples to write your own childhood memories essay.

How Do Childhood Experiences Affect Adulthood

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A Story From My Childhood: A Cherished Memory

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Statement of Purpose: My Childhood Memories

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Childhood Memories of My Brother Going Missing

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Comparison of Me from My Childhood Memories and How I Changed Through Years

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Flipped: Lessons and Realizations Essential to Life

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Influences of Childhood Wonder: Transition into Womanhood in A White Heron

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Those Winter Sundays by Robert Hayden: The Main Undertone of Regret

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The Report on Early Childhood Amnesia

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The Recollection of False Childhood Memories

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An Analysis of Cognitive Development in Childhood Memories

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A Personal Recount on the Memories of My Childhood

The Childhood is considering as the most innocent phase of man's life. Yet when I look back those innocent days of my early childhood, actually I could not remember much. But those pleasant memories of my childhood linger on time to time due to the...

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Recollection of My Childhood Memories: A Nostalgic Camping Trip

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A child’s behavior is shaped by their genes and environment. This is where the child is affected both by nature and nurture. Nature affects children because of environment. Nurture affects children from multiple things. For example, home, community, beliefs, and our values. Because children are...

Personal Experience And Memories Of Our Backyard

In my childhood, I once went camping up north with my family and that is one experience I will never get off my mind. The place was just so quiet away compared to all the noise from the city and while it was scary at...

Personal Experience
Personal Life

Through The Narrow Lanes Of Calcutta

As a child growing up in the developing district of Bally, a small town in Howrah situated on the north western side of Kolkata, I wasn’t much used to seeing the red green houses that North Kolkata is famous for. The other side of Hooghly...

Best topics on Childhood Memories

1. How Do Childhood Experiences Affect Adulthood

2. A Story From My Childhood: A Cherished Memory

3. Feeling of Real Home: How My Adopted Parents Saved Me

4. Statement of Purpose: My Childhood Memories

5. Childhood Memories of My Brother Going Missing

6. Childhood Memory That Shaped Me as a Person

7. Comparison of Me from My Childhood Memories and How I Changed Through Years

8. Flipped: Lessons and Realizations Essential to Life

9. Theme of Childhood Naivety in Seamus Heaney’s Poems Death of a Naturalist and Blackberry Picking

10. Influences of Childhood Wonder: Transition into Womanhood in A White Heron

11. Those Winter Sundays by Robert Hayden: The Main Undertone of Regret

12. The Report on Early Childhood Amnesia

13. The Recollection of False Childhood Memories

14. An Analysis of Cognitive Development in Childhood Memories

15. A Personal Recount on the Memories of My Childhood

Career Goals
Personality
Perseverance
Actions Speak Louder Than Words

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Kids Learning
English Essays for Kids
my Neighbour Essay

My Neighbour Essay for Kids

Provided here for your reference is My Neighbour Essay for kids. Neighbours are the people who live near our house. They are the ones whom we interact with almost every day. Nothing is better than having a helpful neighbour. Here today, let’s see how we can draft a simple essay on my neighbour.

The essence of neighbours is understood in tough times. Given below are 10 lines on my neighbour essay that will aid students in understanding what points they can include while they draft an essay on the neighbour. You can also download this ‘my neighbour paragraph’ in a colourful PDF format for free through the link provided below.

Download “My Neighbour Essay 10 Lines” PDF for Free

My neighbour essay in english.

My neighbour’s name is Preeti Garhewal. She is around 25 years old.
She stays with her mother in my neighbourhood. Her mother is a very generous lady.
I address her as ‘didi’ which means elder sister.
She is an extremely cheerful and polite person.
She gets me chocolates and gifts whenever she visits our home.
She takes very good care of her mother.
She accompanies her mother in evening walks and to the market.
I have always seen her smiling and energetic.
We invite each other on every occasion and celebrate festivals together.
We help each other in tough times and feel fortunate to have each other as neighbours.

The above essay on my neighbour has been drafted in a simple language and short lines so that kids find it easy to understand and replicate. Students of Class 1 to 3 will be able to frame my neighbour essay 10 lines in English taking into consideration the above points. They can also include other aspects and characteristics of their neighbours. This is a sample essay to give an idea to the kids on how they can write an impressive essay on neighbour in English in simple words.

After our family members, neighbours are the next set of people whom we can contact in times of emergency. Their homes are near to ours. So, they can help us in bad times at the earliest. Sometimes, people get such great neighbours that they become like a family. They share their good and bad days. They celebrate functions together. They rejoice in each other’s successes and share sadness during failures.

Writing essays builds up a better linguistic understanding. It enhances students’ imagination power and boosts their confidence. My Neighbour Essay is a common topic for essay in primary classes. We have several other interesting English essays that might interest you. Young minds can learn and practice essay writing on the most frequently asked topics.

You can check other fascinating learning resources such as worksheets, stories, essays, GK questions, poems, NCERT Solutions, easy trivia questions, etc. for your kids in our Kids Learning section.

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Home / Essay Samples / Life / Experience / Childhood Memories

Childhood Memories Essay Examples

A tale of misfortune: how i broke my arm.

When I was about 4 or 5, I was in kindergarten eating Oreos, probably the best Oreos I've ever had. The creamy substance mixed with the hard chocolaty cracker is perfect. It was almost like real chocolate! However, little did I know that those Oreos...

My Childhood Friend: a Lifelong Bond

Childhood is a time of innocence, curiosity, and forming connections that often last a lifetime. In the tapestry of my life, there is a thread woven with memories of a cherished childhood friend. This essay is a tribute to the person who has been a...

The Best Person and the Best Time of My Life

As a daughter with a dad, the word dad may mean many different things for different people. One might picture someone who is loving, selfless, and well respected. On the other hand, a picture of dishonest, impatient, and grumpy dad may come to mind. There...

Missing School Days: Back to School

No matter how much you say you hate school, you'll always miss it when you Leave'. When ex-students said this to me while I was at school I laughed at them. However, today I would love to go back to school and enjoy those carefree...

Childhood Memories: a Treasure Trove of Life's Sweetest Moments

When recalling my childhood memories, there are many stories. Some of them makes me happy but some of them are not good ones. In my childhood memories essay I will try to retel some of these childhood memories. Memories and experiences are a vital component...

Childhood Memory: the Sweetest Time in Life

To start with, this is childhood memory essay were I want share why childhood is sweet time where I want to come back. It is happy to go back to the world of childhood where problems and worries haven't yet existed. Childhood memories have a...

Unforgettable Childhood Memories: a Sweet Family Summerhouse

As maybe everyone I also had unforgettable memories with my cousins when we were younger. Now, in unforgettable childhood memories essay I will tell one of those memories. I started to show round our summerhouse for my cousins. Our summerhouse is like a building complex...

Reminding Myself About the Past: Unforgettable Childhood Memories

My name is Lucy and I am exited to write about my unforgettable childhood memories, an essay about my past experience that I like to think about time to time. As I look back on my childhood, I realize how fortunate I was to have...

Funny Childhood Memories: Laughter Through the Years

Childhood is a treasure trove of memories, each adorned with a sprinkle of innocence and a dash of laughter. Among the vast array of memories, it's often the funny ones that leave the most indelible marks. These moments, a testament to the carefree nature of...

Striving for Happiness: My Journey Through Elementary School

How to attain perfect happiness? I was asked the same question when I was in 7th grade and this is also my answer. My elementary days essay is an attempt to give answer to this question. I believe that being happy is all about being...

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