Rizal spent his childhood in Calamba. Some of his earliest memories included his nursemaid Aya and the death of his sister Concepcion when he was 3 years old. He was devoted to the Catholic church from a young age, joining family prayers at 3 and knowing parts of the bible by 5. At age 5, he began making sketches. He wrote his first poem at age 8 in the native language. Rizal's childhood was influenced by his family, environment, and divine providence, and he received help in his development from his uncles Gregorio, Jose, and Manuel.