Our young children and memory.

lendaddy · 02-09-2007, 10:41 AM

Odd thought. Our children under four or so learn a tremendous amount in those first four years. They conquer language, walking, throwing, swimming, etc etc..... these things in and of themselves are amazing. Then comes the kicker.....for the most part they will retain NO specific memory of it at all. My boys will have no memory of learning to throw or catch or swim or,........... That to me is just weird as all get out, such fertile minds with seemingly endless capacity. They are so "with it" mentally, it's hard to imagine it all gets forgotten(the experience, not the knowledge).

Weird.

M.D. Holloway · 02-09-2007, 10:46 AM

I can remember back to when I was 2 and 3. Our Kids remember back to when they were 2 as well. It is easy for our 4yr old but our 7yr old (soon to be 8) pulls stuff out that happened before he was 3. I think the more you try to rememeber the more you do.

lendaddy · 02-09-2007, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by LubeMaster77
I can remember back to when I was 2 and 3. Our Kids remember back to when they were 2 as well. It is easy for our 4yr old but our 7yr old (soon to be 8) pulls stuff out that happened before he was 3. I think the more you try to remember the more you do.

You have vivid recollection of events when you were two? I'm not talking about "I vaguely remember a blue car and a swing set" kind of memory, but vivid recollection like we do of our adult lives....even if it was decades ago.

id10t · 02-09-2007, 10:53 AM

I vividly recall a couple of specific events from when I was 2 to 3 years old, but not much more.

M.D. Holloway · 02-09-2007, 10:57 AM

Yup - only a few. One, I was under a sink with my twin brother and he took a bar of Dial soap and rubbed into my eye. I know I was under 2 1/2 because it happened in a house that we lived in until I was 3. I also remember sitting on my big brothers bed and whistling for him and my folks - old house as well. I also remember my big sister freaking out in the tub becasue she got her toe caught in the faucet. That was a freaking riot! My Dad turned the water on and the pressure made her toe swell which only worsened it. By this time the whole family is in the bathroom and my sister (who was 12 at the time was subjected to the whole family trying to get her toe out of the faucet. Again, old house. The more I think about it the more memories come back.

They are just snipets lasting maybe a few moments at best but then again pretty much any old memory I have seems to only be of a few minutes...

KFC911 · 02-09-2007, 10:57 AM

I can generally remember back until around the age of 4, and have a couple of 'flahses' from prior to that... I'd still remember the conception if not for the college years

lendaddy · 02-09-2007, 11:02 AM

I have several memories, but nothing vivid where I can picture facial expressions or sounds or other similar fine details.

Nathans_Dad · Nathans_Dad's Garage

I figure that is God's way of giving the parents a break since no one knows what the he!! they are doing as a parent for the first 5 years anyhow...

therotman · 02-09-2007, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by id10t
I vividly recall a couple of specific events from when I was 2 to 3 years old, but not much more.

I barely remember things from 2 or 3 years ago!

Jims5543 · 02-09-2007, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lendaddy
Odd thought. Our children under four or so learn a tremendous amount in those first four years. They conquer language, walking, throwing, swimming, etc etc..... these things in and of themselves are amazing. Then comes the kicker.....for the most part they will retain NO specific memory of it at all. My boys will have no memory of learning to throw or catch or swim or,........... That to me is just weird as all get out, such fertile minds with seemingly endless capacity. They are so "with it" mentally, it's hard to imagine it all gets forgotten(the experience, not the knowledge).

Weird.

Hence the reason our 3 year old is in Montessori school and not day car.

He does not play he learns all day long and is a sponge. He almost has a grasp of days of the week and time and is aware of direction N, S, E, W.

We had read the first 4 years are amazing and to tap into it as much as possible and we are seeing it with this guy. Truly amazing.

And this is in addition to what Len has posted.