Explanation: an extreme, irrational fear of something that may cause a person to panic. Common phobias include fear of spiders, flying in an airplane, elevators, heights, enclosed rooms, crowded public places, and embarrassing oneself in front of others.

Association: Trypophobia is my biggest phobia, I can't move my body when I see it, the more I see it the more I can't move. It's gotten to the point where I start crying because I can't take the picture out of my head and my body feels so tense. When people discover this in me they tend to show me pictures to see my reaction. I had to take a science class about earth science and in one of the chapters we were learning about rocks that had holes in them and I was crying when I was doing the test because I had to touch them to explain the texture and to be able to identify the different rocks.

Explanation: Rejected children are actively disliked by their peers. They tend to behave in ways that make them difficult to be around. They may dominate games, they may cheat or refuse to share, and they may name-call or manipulate. Neglected children are not actively disliked; they just aren’t noticed.

Association: When I first came from Mexico, I didn't speak English. I was the kid who was unnoticed but, at the same time noticed by the wrong people. I was being bullied ,and I couldn't tell anybody because I wasn't capable of speaking the language that everyone else did.

Explanation: Distinguished from popular, rejected, and neglected children. Often seen as "too different" to be accepted by their peers. They could come from a LGBTQ+ family, or maybe even an interatrial family in the south. Maybe even a child that comes out as trans, or gay. Children who are seen as controversial are always going to be seen as an outcast for whatever reason they have been deemed "controversial."

Explanation: Distinguished from popular, controversial, and rejected children. Neglected children may arrive to school with dirty clothes, no lunch, no money for lunch, or little to no school supplies. Neglected children will also often be ignored by their peers since they are seen as "dirty" or "unkempt." These children may also act out in the classroom or develop a "class clown" mentality, to gain any kind of attention from their teachers or peers.

Association: as a child I was friends with a girl who was neglected at home. At that age I didn't understand it at all. I didn't know why she wouldn't have lunch, or would show up to school in the same clothes as the day before. I saw her as my friend. It wasn't until I was much older and we stopped being friends that I saw why she had some of the behaviors she had. Once we got to high school she got a reputation as being someone who would sleep around. Now looking back I realize that it was a way for her to get attention since her father was never home and she often cared for herself. Being neglected as a child changed how she is as a person now.

Explanation: Popular children are important for child development because they demonstrate social competence and good relationships. If a child is observing from afar, they can mimic the likeable qualities that are being shown, and they can learn to obtain those acceptable traits that they need to grow in (if they do not already possess such traits). Popularity in itself is tied to those social skills, and they can help impact their development.

Association: "Puppies Charm Everyone Lovingly"

I thought this pneumonic device could associate with "Popular Children Charm Everyone, Likeable." This could help with the term that popular children are well-liked by their peers.

Explanation: Self-care children's lives are much different than a child who may have either one or both parents around all of the time at home. Children who are taking care of themselves can struggle in certain areas that other students may not. Some examples include, not having an appropriate lunch packed, not wearing the correct clothes for the weather, forgetting homework and assignments at home, etc. As a teacher, it is important to know what type of background students are coming from and assist in the best way possible, whether that is different requirements for assignments or snacks for them to eat because they forgot breakfast. Showing that you care and understand is essential.

Explanation: During this time in an adolescents life, social structures begin to play a huge role in who they are and who they are friends with. Social comparisons can have negative effects on children as they try and become like others or vice versa. This can cause an extremely negative outlook on a person's self-confidence and image. It can also drastically affect who they hang out with socially and what beliefs they follow. When working with students in a classroom, creating a safe environment where no one needs to be compared is a great way to combat some of the negative effects of this issue.

Association: Although the social comparison is made more with a family member rather than a peer, I feel like the song "Nineteen" by Movements does a good job of expressing how the weight of comparison can have on a young mind.

Explanation: In school, sports teams, neighborhoods, etc. there can be a bully or a group of bullies that select either one kid or multiple kids to target their abuses. They specifically choose these kids for whatever reasons, and they make them their victim.

Explanation: Peer groups play a crucial role in child development influencing various aspects of a child's emotional, social, cognitive, and behavioral growth. They provide opportunity for learning, identity formation and emotional support. However, the impact of peer groups can be both positive and negative. Positive, supportive peers can encourage healthy development, while negative influences, such as bullying or peer pressure, can hinder growth and well-being

Association: A group of 4th-grade students who regularly hang out during lunch and recess, playing games like tag or soccer. They share similar interests in sports and enjoy spending time together after school.These children develop strong social bonds, learning to collaborate, share, and resolve conflicts. Their friendships provide emotional support, and through regular interaction, they strengthen their communication and teamwork skills.

Explanation: Peer acceptance is strongly connected to child development as it plays a significant role in shaping a child’s emotional, social, and cognitive growth. Peer acceptance refers to how well a child is accepted, liked, or integrated by their peers, and it influences various aspects of development such as social Skills development, emotional development, behavioral outcomes and psychological well being.

Association: In our class, there was a new girl named Taliyah. She was quiet at first, and I noticed she spent a lot of time sitting alone. I had heard from my other classmates that Taliyah had just moved to our town, and everything was new for her. I could tell she didn’t know anyone yet, and she looked a little nervous whenever we were at lunch or during recess.

One day, during recess, I was playing tag with my friends when I saw Taliyah sitting by herself near the swings. She was drawing in her notebook, her head down, and it seemed like she wanted to be left alone. But something about her made me want to be a good friend to her, just like I would want someone to do for me if I were new.I walked over to Taliyah with a big smile. "Hey, Taliyah! Do you want to play tag with us?" I asked. She looked up, surprised, but after a moment, she smiled shyly and nodded.I introduced Taliyah to my friends, and at first, she was a little hesitant. But soon, she was laughing and running with us, and we all took turns being "it." By the end of recess, Taliyah was talking and laughing with everyone, and I could see her beginning to feel more comfortable.

Over the next few weeks, I noticed something amazing. Taliyah started to open up more and more. She would sit with us at lunch, share stories about her old school, and even help us with group projects. I saw how much she loved to draw, so I started bringing my sketchbook to school too. Taliyah and I began to spend time together after school, drawing and talking about our favorite things. I learned that she loved animals and dreamed of becoming a veterinarian one day.One day, our teacher announced that there would be a talent show, and Taliyah seemed excited but also nervous. "What if I mess up?" she said quietly to me. I smiled and said, "Don't worry, Taliyah. You’re really good at drawing, and that’s a talent too! You should totally share your drawings with everyone."Taliyah looked unsure at first, but with my encouragement and the support of our friends, she decided to participate. On the day of the talent show, Taliyah stood in front of the class and shared her amazing animal drawings. She even explained the stories behind each one. The whole class cheered, and I could see how proud Taliyah was of herself. I was proud of her too.After that day, Taliyah wasn’t just the new girl anymore—she was my friend. And we became even closer as the weeks went by. I realized that sometimes, all it takes to make someone feel accepted is just a little bit of kindness and a willingness to include them.Taliyah taught me a lot about the power of peer acceptance, and I was glad that I had taken the first step to befriend her. Now, every day at school, I know that no one has to feel alone, because being accepted and included is one of the most important things we can do for our friends. And I’ll always be proud to call Taliyah my friend.