Memory problems of one kind or another plague people of all ages. However, children who experience issues with memory may be facing situations that range from simple childish forgetfulness to underdeveloped hippocampi and even repression. The real challenge in diagnosing the root cause of memory problems in children is determining with real certainty which -- if any -- of these causes may be behind them.
Forgetfulness in Developing Minds
As an article by Liz Warwick in "The Bulletin of the Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Development" points out that small children are more than capable of remembering well those things that catch their fancy. Favorite movies, TV shows and candy all figure high in their recall. Less intriguing details, however, don't stand nearly the same chance. The face or name of a distant relative, for example, is more difficult for a child to remember. Developing brains are expected to have such shortcomings. Consequently, many lapses in memory for children can stem from the innocent forgetfulness of a young brain.
Developmental Amnesia
The point at which simple forgetfulness becomes a more serious problem might best be illustrated by instances in which children read and learn at a normal level, but struggle to keep everyday events straight and maintain short term memories. Warwick notes that this situation might very well reflect developmental amnesia that can be tied to underdeveloped hippocampi. This part of the brain --responsible for acquiring memories -- often appears undersized in cases of developmental amnesia. Warwick also points out that identifying this problem early makes a significant difference in the capability of families to prepare for the special needs of children who suffer from this condition.
Repressed Memory
According to a paper by Elizabeth Loftus on the University of Washington website, one of the most controversial and unusual aspects of childhood memory problems concerns repressed memories that involve violence and abuse. Traumatic memories are believed to lie dormant in the minds of children as a means of dealing with horrible experiences. When these memories resurface -- often in adulthood -- they can result in accusations of misconduct against friends and family members. The lack of conclusive evidence in most cases of repressed memories makes them uncertain territory for experts, many of whom don't want to dismiss the possibility of wrongdoing, but find themselves concerned over unanswered questions.
False Memories
One of the occasional problems with memory is best illustrated in the story of famed developmental psychologist Jean Piaget. Loftus writes about Piaget's longtime adherence to what he claimed was a childhood memory of being kidnapped. So convinced was Piaget that this had actually occurred, that it was only when his one-time nanny admitted to him years later that she had invented the story that he began to question the memory's validity. Such an instance speaks volumes about the power of suggestion to create a false memory -- particularly in the mind of a child. While many such occurrences might be harmless enough, false memories could also involve claims of abuse and carry serious consequences.
Authentic Repression
This is not to say that memory repression does not exist. Most experts readily agree that certain memories are repressed. An article on apa.org contends that many mental health professionals who work with trauma victims believe that dissociation is a person's way of sheltering himself from the pain of a given memory. The plausibility of this argument is not likely lost on many -- most people have things they would like to forget. The difficulty arises, however, from the ability to determine conclusively which repressed memories are genuine and which are not. It lies in the hands of trained, observant professionals to work on untangling such questions for signs of the truth.
