3 ms·

My first ever memory, at least in very subjective way, is of my late uncle leaning over the stroller. He didn't eve sport full beard, just proper black mustache

My first ever memory, at least in very subjective way, is of my late uncle leaning over the stroller. He didn't eve sport full beard, just proper black mustache, this was early 80s. I recall existential fear from that combination and of course I went bananas full power. Now as a father I know that kids don't form permanent memories until cca 2.5 years but this one is so vivid and detailed, and the whole setup must have been stroller otherwise whole memory doesn't make sense. I keep telling myself its not some invented memory or dream, but I'lll never know 100% truth. Yeah small kids don't like that stuff on strangers, maybe it moves the threat assessment into more wild territory.

jefftk 3y ago
People very occasionally retain earlier memories, especially of really strong experiences. Childhood amnesia isn't 100% consistent. It's also possible you were in a stroller despite being a bit older; this is something I see a lot. A kid in a stroller can be transported faster and more consistently than one walking.
- touisteur 3y ago
  Also very useful for long walking/bus trips (endurance isn't there yet) or bad weather or still when the kid naps a bit... our twin stroller was good for 30kg for each kid.
roomey 3y ago
That 2.5 year thing sounds like the 5 second memory thing for goldfish. That is to say, it isn't true. The human brain is the most complex structure we know about, there is no way we can know for certain when the first memories form. There are many references to unborn babys knowing certain types of music their mother listened to while pregnant, positive associations with food that their mother ate while pregnant, crying with a particular accent etc.
RoyalHenOil 3y ago
I remember being mortally afraid of Santa Claus when I was a little kid, entirely due to his beard. My dad and my grandpa were the only bearded men I trusted. I don't know how old I was, though. I do, however, know for certain that I have memories from the age of 1-2 years old, which I've been able to date by relaying these memories to older family members who also remember them and having them confirm when they happened. (For example, I remember passing a Christmas gift to my great grandmother, when I would have been 1.5 years old; she died not long after. And I remember the layout of the first apartment I ever lived in, which we left shortly before my 1st birthday.) But I went through a severely traumatic experience at 3-4 years old that I believe caused me to retain older memories. I remember going through a conscious effort to retain as many memories as I could from before the event by repeatedly recalling them as frequently as I could, and although this probably caused them to become less accurate over time, I still remember them well enough that other people can recognize them and confirm them (the ones that involved other people, anyway).

jefftk 3y ago

People very occasionally retain earlier memories, especially of really strong experiences. Childhood amnesia isn't 100% consistent. It's also possible you were in a stroller despite being a bit older; this is something I see a lot. A kid in a stroller can be transported faster and more consistently than one walking.

touisteur 3y ago
Also very useful for long walking/bus trips (endurance isn't there yet) or bad weather or still when the kid naps a bit... our twin stroller was good for 30kg for each kid.

roomey 3y ago

That 2.5 year thing sounds like the 5 second memory thing for goldfish. That is to say, it isn't true. The human brain is the most complex structure we know about, there is no way we can know for certain when the first memories form. There are many references to unborn babys knowing certain types of music their mother listened to while pregnant, positive associations with food that their mother ate while pregnant, crying with a particular accent etc.

RoyalHenOil 3y ago

I remember being mortally afraid of Santa Claus when I was a little kid, entirely due to his beard. My dad and my grandpa were the only bearded men I trusted. I don't know how old I was, though. I do, however, know for certain that I have memories from the age of 1-2 years old, which I've been able to date by relaying these memories to older family members who also remember them and having them confirm when they happened. (For example, I remember passing a Christmas gift to my great grandmother, when I would have been 1.5 years old; she died not long after. And I remember the layout of the first apartment I ever lived in, which we left shortly before my 1st birthday.) But I went through a severely traumatic experience at 3-4 years old that I believe caused me to retain older memories. I remember going through a conscious effort to retain as many memories as I could from before the event by repeatedly recalling them as frequently as I could, and although this probably caused them to become less accurate over time, I still remember them well enough that other people can recognize them and confirm them (the ones that involved other people, anyway).