What are the basic processes of memory development in children?

Answer 1

Memory has three basic processes; Encoding, Storage and Retrieval.

The working memory for children isn't as good as adults; 5 year olds have a capacity for 4-5 digits, 9 year olds for 6 digits, where as adults is approximately 7 digits. Mnemonics were developed to improve the amount remembered whilst bearing in mind this limit in working memory, such as rehearsal, grouping, elaboration and encoding strategies. Google Flavell et al 1966, Moely et al 1969, and Buckhalt et al 1979 for some examples.

Children aren't as good as adults at retrieval either, however this improves with age. Its been found that having knowledge of what you're trying to remember helps, however a problem occurs with construct memory. This is where two pieces of information are combined, into one. http://faculty.Washington.edu/eloftus/Articles/sciam.htm This article explains. basically, if you construct two things together, it may lead to your memory changing, into thinking you remember something you don't. Imagine you get two sentences 'the turtle was on the log' and 'the fish swam under the log.' If asked a few days later, you may be wrongly convinced into thinking 'the fish swam under the turtle.'

Scripts (representations of well known events) also affect retrieval. We all know the script for a restaurant, but children may rely on this all the time; for example, in a restaurant, the bill is paid at the end, but in mcdonalds, the bill is paid first. Children assume that because they are in a restaurant, the bill is paid at the end, regardless of whether it's a McDonald's or not. Nelson. 1978 did this study.

Children are suggestible; they are much more likely to recall incorrectly when a question is repeated to them, or if they are asked a leading question. Also, if they are given prior knowledge about something, this can affect their memory. Leichtman and Ceci, 1995 did a study on this about a man called Sam Stone.

Answer 2

Memory development in children involves encoding information, storing it in the brain, and retrieving it when needed. As children grow, their memory capacity increases, allowing them to remember more information for longer periods of time. Practice and repetition help strengthen memory pathways in the brain, leading to improved memory retention and recall.