Deutschlandfunk – Aus dem Dunkel erster Erinnerungen

Why can't we remember our earliest childhood memories? The recent findings of some research provide clues as to how childhood memories are formed.

Early childhood memories from before the age of three tend to be forgotten over time, in a phenomenon known as early childhood amnesia. For a long time, the underlying mechanisms of this forgetting were unclear. However, recent research findings provide insight into how and when memories are formed and stored in early childhood. In an interview with Deutschlandfunk, Sarah Power, a researcher at the Center for Lifespan Psychology, discusses her preliminary research findings. She explains that children do form memories and can recall them for a period of time, even if they are not consciously aware of them later on.

Full radio broadcast: Deutschlandfunk | 01.01.2026 (German)