How good is the memory of an 18-month-old baby?
What does an 18-month-old baby remember? Probably not much right? Wrong! Today I learned they actually remember a lot more than I thought.
The joys of small children — My memories
As part of my ‘side hustle’, I do some babysitting work. I love looking after very small children from the ages of around 6 months — 3 years old.
There’s something so special about that age. It’s the time when these tiny little humans are first learning about the world and their own body.
They learn and grow at a phenomenal rate and it’s such a pleasure and a privilege to see these little people grow and develop and to share that joy (and tears) with the family.
I know most of these kids won’t remember me — they are still babies and once they grow old enough, their mothers and fathers will no longer need me to look after them.
I love these kids to death but they will probably never even remember me. I don’t remember anything until I was least 3 or 4 and even then those memories are foggy.
But today one of my little boys surprised me with just how powerful his little memory was. I wanted to share it with you.
A baby’s memory at 18 months old
The last time I saw this boy he was only 18 months old.
Before November last year, I usually visited him about once a week and had started looking after him when he was around 14 months old.
So I had only known him for about 4 months.
Due to house moves, family holidays, starting a business and a variety of other things, I didn’t see him for 4 months between November and March.
Today I went to see him for the first time since November last year. He’s also a bit of a shy baby and takes time to warm up to people.
Both his mother and I were sure he wouldn’t remember me.
I had only been around for 4 months before that and after all, he was still just a tiny baby, not even two yet.
Spoiler alert — we were wrong.
His little mind somehow remembered me. For the first moment he looked a little unsure, but then he recognised me fully and gave me this massive grin. He then proceeded to run full pelt towards me gave me the biggest hug an even-less-than-2-year-old could muster!
As you can imagine, my heart exploded.
After being away for 1/7th of his entire life, his little mind still managed to remember me.
This was mind-boggling. How on earth did a kid who couldn’t even walk when I met him remember me after being away for 4 months (or 1/7th of his life)?
We seem to believe that kids this young won’t remember anything so their memory must be really bad.
But today I learned that might not be true.
I am no expert in child development but his complete recognition and joy to see me is something I will never forget.
It’s also changed the way I think about babies memories. We have no idea of the ability and capacity of babies minds and memories.
Has anyone ever had an experience like this? Is this normal?
As someone without children myself (yet), I would love to know from other parents when your child’s memory has surprised you.
I would love to know if it’s common for a 21-month-old baby to remember someone so clearly from when they were only 18 months old?
Do any developmental psychologists/child development specialists have some insights about baby memories?
I would love all input from all sources and I can’t wait to read your comments!
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