childhoods
Before growing up
Childhoods is the plural of childhood, the period of life before adulthood.
The plural typically appears when comparing different experiences of growing up: Our childhoods were very different—mine in the city, hers on a farm.
It emphasizes that childhood is not universal but shaped by individual circumstances: The war robbed them of their childhoods.
Stored past experiences
- innocenceFreedom from wrongdoing
- playgroundsOutdoor spaces for children
- summersWarmest annual seasons
- laughterVocal expression of amusement
toys · cartoons · neighborhood · bicycles · friendships · backyard · holidays · birthdays
Influencing development or growth
- milestonesNotable points of progress
- growthIncrease in size
- learningGaining knowledge gradually
- languageSystem of symbolic communication
socialization · attachment · curiosity · play · exploration · cognitive · emotional · early
Long-established customs passed down
- ritualsCeremonial repeated practices
- festivalsOrganized communal celebrations
- storytellingRecounting events aloud
- folktalesTraditional oral narratives
lullabies · celebrations · heritage · customs · elders · community · ceremonies · rites
Lasting psychological wound
- povertySevere lack of resources
- neglectFailure to provide care
- abuseCruel or violent treatment
- displacementRemoval from usual location
resilience · survival · hunger · orphaned · loss · instability · adversity · foster
memories
Stored past experiences
- innocenceFreedom from wrongdoing
- playgroundsOutdoor spaces for children
- summersWarmest annual seasons
laughter · toys · cartoons · neighborhood · bicycles · friendships · backyard · holidays · birthdays · schooldays
formative
Influencing development or growth
- milestonesNotable points of progress
- growthIncrease in size
- learningGaining knowledge gradually
language · socialization · attachment · curiosity · play · exploration · cognitive · emotional · early · nurturing
traditions
Long-established customs passed down
- ritualsCeremonial repeated practices
- festivalsOrganized communal celebrations
- storytellingRecounting events aloud
folktales · lullabies · celebrations · heritage · customs · elders · community · ceremonies · rites · songs
trauma
Lasting psychological wound
displacement · resilience · survival · hunger · orphaned · loss · instability · adversity · foster · struggle
rural
Of the countryside
countryside · apartment · farmhouse · tenement · commune · boarding · colonial · postwar · immigrant · coastal
childhoodsadulthoods
States of being grown
maturities · elderhood · majorities · twilight years · golden years
- childhood friendCompanion from youth
- childhood memoriesRecollections from youth
- childhood homeEarly-life dwelling place
- childhood memoryRecalled experience from youth
- early childhoodFirst years of life
- childhood dreamYoung person's hoped-for future