Most people’s earliest memory comes later, with 20% placing it at age three, 17% at age four, and 15% at age five. Only 14% said their earliest memory began at age six or older.
Interestingly, more than half of Americans, 56%, say they have one particular memory they consider their very first. Older adults were even more likely than younger people to identify a specific first memory, despite having lived much longer since childhood
That raises an obvious question. Why do some memories survive for decades while countless others disappear completely?
Why Your Brain Doesn’t Hold Onto Every Childhood Memory
The answer begins with how the brain develops.
Young children are constantly absorbing information, but the systems responsible for organizing and storing long-term autobiographical memories are still under construction during the first few years of life. As a result, experiences may be emotionally meaningful in the moment without becoming permanent memories that can easily be recalled decades later.
Language also plays an important role.
