I think I remember things since I was 8 months old.. it can be possible?

Question

when do we begin to have memory?

Answer 1

yes its possible my mother was surprised when i descibed things from my infancy she said my memory was always sharp though...lol

Answer 2

I don't know, but I can't tell you what color pants I wore yesterday! Seriously,I teach elementary school and children have shared many similar experiences with me but not back that far. I believe it is possible to remember after infancy but not before, especially if a memory is relived in your mind repeatedly as time goes on. It doesn't have to be a traumatic experience either, although that one will surely stick out. I am guessing if you have seen photos or videos of yourself at 8 months as you were growing up, you may have confused your response to the photos when you were a toddler for a real memory today. Possible? Children in Kindergarten tell me stories of what happened few years ago ( at two and three) so I see no reason that your toddler memory should disappear later, especially if you keep it fresh by reviewing it from time to time.

Answer 3

My earliest memory is the morning that I turned two.

I was travelling with my family. We were visiting Duluth Minnesota (from Canada.) I vividly recall looking out the hotel window at a harbour, and I can remember a loud choo-choo train toy that I got for that birthday. (I kept the toy... still have it for that reason.) I know it was an actual "memory" because there are pictures of other things from that trip that I can't recall, but there aren't pictures of that moment that I could be confusing with my own memories.

After that I remember a few things from being three: getting "big girl" furniture, watching a dishwasher repairman, (he gave me Styrofoam packing peanuts to play with...) and then a LOT of things from when I was 4 (especially about Nursery school!!)

Here's the BabyCenter "official" response to this question. It suggests 14-18 months. http://www.babycenter.com/expert/baby/babydevelopment/6888.html

I love asking little kids what's the earliest thing they remember and finding out when they can actually comprehend the question. It's really interesting and I think it fosters these early memories if you discuss them early on. I just asked a little 4 year old this at my daughter's daycare last week. He didn't quite understand the concept yet.

Take care!

Answer 4

It IS possible, but very rare. Almost all child psychologists and developmental specialists (along with thousands of early childhood development professors) will tell you that the human brain is not set up to store memories long-term until around the age of two or three. This is due to a thing called infantile amnesia. Many profressionals believe this i sdue to the fact that in order to truly commit a memory to long-term memory, a person needs linguistic skills that aren't present at this young age. Also the connections in the brain are not yet fully developed yet. Most "memories" people have from before around the age of two are a combination of ideas that they have seen on tv, heard about, or things that they have been told by their parents. Children CAN remember things for short periods of time, and often traumatic memories are remembered, but mots generic memories are forgotten until around the age of 3. By the age of three the memory and brain are fully developed, as well as a knowledge of basic linguistic skills.

Answer 5

this relates back to that whole idea of repressed memories and how people thought that you could get people to remember things that their brains had "shelved"; however they began to remember things that most definitly didnt happen. While the things you're remembering probably did happen it's very likely that you were told about them later on and think it is a memory your having, but you could really be remembering...doctors still aren't too clear on how our memories work exactly

Answer 6

I remember 4 years old. It's a bit scattered but that's when my grandpa died and I remember that. And small things ever since up until about 7 years old- I remember everything from then on.

Answer 7

sure can, i can clearly remember things from 6 months old, after talking with relatives, i was right about a few memories from that age

Answer 8

traumatic events are remembered very early. the other- non-earth shattering memories are remember because someone told us a story or showed us a picture. they are "implanted" memories rather than actual memories.

Answer 9

Yes it is possible. Usually they are big events. I remember getting stung by a bee that young.

Answer 10

i suppose it could be possible
i remember the day of my 2nd birthday and things even before that....some people really trip out and say it isnt possible
but obviously those people cant remember
lol