How Far Back Can Your Earliest Memories Go?

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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on the earliest memories participants can recall, with many contributors sharing vivid recollections from as young as one or two years old. Key memories include sitting on family members' laps, significant events like the first day of school, and interactions with siblings. Participants express uncertainty about the authenticity of some memories, suggesting that many may be influenced by family stories rather than direct recollections. The conversation highlights the variability in memory retention and the emotional significance of early experiences.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of childhood development and memory formation
  • Familiarity with psychological concepts related to memory recall
  • Knowledge of anecdotal evidence in personal storytelling
  • Awareness of the influence of familial narratives on memory perception
NEXT STEPS
  • Research childhood memory development stages
  • Explore psychological studies on memory distortion and reliability
  • Investigate the role of family narratives in shaping personal memories
  • Learn about techniques for enhancing memory recall in early childhood
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for psychologists, educators, parents, and anyone interested in understanding the complexities of memory formation and retention during early childhood.

wolram
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I have realized i can not remember much beyond my 16th birthday, just a few bits and pieces, how far back can you mature PFers remember ?
 
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i remember myself in my moms womb.:biggrin:
 
gurkhawarhorse said:
i remember myself in my moms womb.:biggrin:

Here use this towel :biggrin:
 
I have some memries of when I was 2 or less!:zzz:
 
It seems that one of my earliest memories puts me at about age one. I have a vague memory of sitting on my great-grandmother's lap and looking up at her face. I have many memories of events from age three or so, and later.
 
Lisa! said:
I have some memries of when I was 2 or less!:zzz:

Well that's not so far back is it :confused: :biggrin:
 
Ivan Seeking said:
It seems that one of my earliest memories puts me at about age one. I have a vague memory of sitting on my great-grandmother's lap and looking up at her face. I have many memories of events from age three or so, and later.

That is amazing, i have no memories at all of my pre school days.
 
wolram said:
Here use this towel :biggrin:
no thanks. :biggrin: u will need to buy a new one if i use it :approve:
 
I remember being in my old old old house, I was 3 at the time(I think, maybe 2).
 
  • #10
I'm 23 (this month) and don't have a huge amount of memories before 14. I remember smells, sounds, places and people but I don't remember specifics like when a friend says "remember that time we did ...". I don't remember much interaction with people (it happened... I just don't remember hehe)

I very rarely think about the past.
 
  • #11
I am unsure. My parents often tell stories of when I was a young kid, but I am not sure if they are true, or if they have been told so many times that I believe them to be true.
 
  • #12
The earliest memory I can be sure of is from late 1984, and involves me, as a four year-old, sitting on Santa Claus' lap to tell him what I wanted for Christmas. I can find in my memory images and events from when I was younger than that, but they all seem to be mental images I formed based on stories that my parents told me rather than true memories.
 
  • #13
I was born in 86 and my brother was born in 90. I remember telling my parents to buy me a brother :biggrin:. I also remember my mom asking me if I really wanted a brother and that he will have to share everything with me. I remember sitting in the car with mom and dad when mom was pregnant and going to the hospital. I told her to just open her belly and take the baby out without going to a doctor :biggrin:. One funny thing I remember is the first day of school when I was so proud to be 5 years old...I was thinking wow I'm FIVE years old...I'm BIIIIG.
 
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  • #14
I remember a couple of things from when I was 2. Memories from then on are patchy and inconsistent right up to 20 seconds ago.
 
  • #15
Physics_wiz said:
I was born in 86 and my brother was born in 90. I remember telling my parents to buy me a brother :biggrin:. I also remember my mom asking me if I really wanted a brother and that he will have to share everything with me. I remember sitting in the car with mom and dad when mom was pregnant and going to the hospital. I told her to just open her belly and take the baby out without going to a doctor :biggrin:. One funny thing I remember is the first day of school when I was so proud to be 5 years old...I was thinking wow I'm FIVE years old...I'm BIIIIG.

If i were not a heartless B, i would have to say how cute :biggrin:
 
  • #16
matthyaouw said:
I remember a couple of things from when I was 2. Memories from then on are patchy and inconsistent right up to 20 seconds ago.

Who are you :confused: :confused: :confused: :smile:
 
  • #17
My first complete memory is of being in Tennessee during the winter when I was 3. My dad and older brother were playing in the snow, but I was too cold to move and just kept sinking in the snow. My dad wold come over every once in while and pull me out and set me back on top. And I'd start sinking again. It was the first and last time I ever saw snow too.
My earlier memories are little pieces of things; a certain blanket my mom says I had when I was 2 and such.

Oh, a funny/strange tidbit: I think I was around 6 or 7. I was watching TV and a phone number came up in an ad for one of those adjustable beds. For some reason, I wondered how long I could remember the number. So I tried to memorize it right away. It was 1-800-722-7337. :biggrin:
 
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  • #18
I have a lot of visual recollections. I'm just not sure which ones are memories and which ones are fabrications of my imagination.
 
  • #19
Physics_wiz said:
One funny thing I remember is the first day of school when I was so proud to be 5 years old...I was thinking wow I'm FIVE years old...I'm BIIIIG.
:smile: I remember thinking that when I turned ten. My dad told me I'm a decade old now. WOW... a DECADE! :biggrin:
 
  • #20
honestrosewater said:
My first complete memory is of being in Tennessee during the winter when I was 3. My dad and older brother were playing in the snow, but I was too cold to move and just kept sinking in the snow. My dad wold come over every once in while and pull me out and set me back on top. And I'd start sinking again. It was the first and last time I ever saw snow too.
My earlier memories are little pieces of things; a certain blanket my mom says I had when I was 2 and such.

Awww, every body now together, but were you homogenous and isotropic then
:rolleyes: :smile:
 
  • #21
Smurf said:
:smile: I remember thinking that when I turned ten. My dad told me I'm a decade old now. WOW... a DECADE! :biggrin:

Funny, I never felt like that. I'd always look up to the older kids and think what it must be like to be that big and old, and then get there and think "I still don't feel old. Damn, this is anticlimatic."
 
  • #22
matthyaouw said:
Funny, I never felt like that. I'd always look up to the older kids and think what it must be like to be that big and old, and then get there and think "I still don't feel old. Damn, this is anticlimatic."
Yeah... I remember that too. I still feel like that sometimes - us teenagers are still considered 'kids' by many, and they treat us that way too.
 
  • #23
honestrosewater said:
So I tried to memorize it right away. It was 1-800-722-7337. :biggrin:
are you sure? :biggrin:
 
  • #24
I'll just hope that my inability to feel old carries through well into middle age and late life. Could be quite useful :biggrin:
 
  • #25
I rang that number 1-800-722-7337. :blushing:
 
  • #26
i know bits & pieces about few events when i was 3 years old
 
  • #27
pathre said:
i know bits & pieces about few events when i was 3 years old

But how far back is that ?
 
  • #28
matthyaouw said:
I'll just hope that my inability to feel old carries through well into middle age and late life. Could be quite useful :biggrin:
I just hope other people's inability to consider me old carries through. Could prove quite useful with the ladies.
 
  • #29
I have a very distinct memory of my younger sister being brought home from the hospital right after she was born. The reason this memory probably stuck was because one of my older sisters was making such a big deal about the fact we had a new sister. Anyway I was 1 year and six months old at the time. It was the end of September, 1956.
 
  • #30
zoobyshoe said:
I have a very distinct memory of my younger sister being brought home from the hospital right after she was born. The reason this memory probably stuck was because one of my older sisters was making such a big deal about the fact we had a new sister. Anyway I was 1 year and six months old at the time. It was the end of September, 1956.

Wow zoobie, yours is the best so far, or was Ivans :confused:
 

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