Memory in Physical & Cognitive Development in Early Childhood

Memory (or the ability to recall past experiences and learn from them) is present at birth and goes through many changes throughout early childhood.

Implicit Memory

• Implicit memory is based on the ability to repeat past experience. Studies have shown infants can learn simple tasks--such as kicking--when given stimulus, but forget their training rapidly. Infants taught to kick a mobile at two months will forget their training if they do not practice within two days. One month later, an infant may remember the same task after eight days. Memory increases rapidly as the child ages, especially during the first two years of life.

Explicit Memory

• Explicit memory is the ability to consciously remember and bring up past events. Some researchers believe infants can begin recalling absent objects or events during mid to late infancy. This suggests the generation of a mental image without external stimulus. It's important to note that most children cannot remember past events before the age of three and a half.

Wariness and Memory

• At six to nine months, a baby begins to show fear when something out of the ordinary happens. Some researchers believe this suggests that the child is afraid because he or she is recalling past events, suggesting explicit memory. As a child ages, the ability to show fear and remember negative experiences increases, which explains why toddlers often seek their mothers when frightened (i.e., they remember the stimulus that causes fear and seek comfort in a person they remember).