Children of all ages love hearing stories about themselves: about their births, where they have lived, when they first rode bicycles; every detail fascinates. This curiosity is a great excuse to pull out family photo albums for an evening pleasantly spent reliving memorable times.

In these nervous times, people instinctively want to hold onto mementoes that mark special times and places. These things serve as an anchor to happier, more secure times and are just as important to adults as to children. A tour of your child’s personal landmarks will provide an opportunity for your family to revisit locations that have special significance in your child’s life.

Bring a camera. Better yet, give your child an inexpensive disposable or instant camera and allow him to document his own landmarks. Spend the day visiting the places of importance in your child’s life: the hospital where she was born; your first home; the place of worship where your child was baptized; your child’s pre-school; her favorite restaurant; grandparents’ house; etc. Save one shot to photograph your family in your child’s current bedroom or favorite space.

If you have more than one child, stretch the project out over several days or weekends. Each child should have a time that is solely his to visit and capture personal landmarks.

Afterward, get the film developed. Use an inexpensive photo album or make your own using construction paper in a ring binder. Help your child mount the photos and write captions under each photo. Be sure to include the date the photo was taken. Decorate the covers to make the album personal and unique.

Share your child’s work at the next family gathering. Encourage your child to periodically update the album with new “personal landmarks.”