Childhood amnesia

Childhood amnesia, also called infantile amnesia, is the inability of adults to retrieve episodic memories (memories of situations or events) before the age of three to four years. It may also refer to the scarcity or fragmentation of memories recollected from early childhood, particularly occurring between the ages of 3 and 6. On average, this fragmented period wanes off at around 4.7 years.^[1][2] Around 5–6 years of age in particular is thought to be when autobiographical memory seems to stabilize and be on par with adults.^[3][4] The development of a cognitive self is also thought by some to have an effect on encoding and storing early memories.^[5]

Some research has demonstrated that children can remember events from before the age of three, but that these memories may decline as children get older.^[6][7][8] Psychologists differ in defining the onset of childhood amnesia. Some define it as the age from which a first memory can be retrieved. This is usually the third birthday, but it can range from three to four years in general.^{[9][10][11][12]}

Changes in encoding, storage and retrieval of memories during early childhood are all important when considering childhood amnesia.^[13]