Absence Quote by Selma Fraiberg
“We have good reason to believe that memories of early childhood do not persist in consciousness because of the absence or fragmentary character of language covering this period. Words serve as fixatives for mental images. . . . Even at the end of the second year of life when word tags exist for a number of objects in the child's life, these words are discrete and do not yet bind together the parts of an experience or organize them in a way that can produce a coherent memory.”
About This Quote
Source Research Article: Early Childhood Memory Development, 1970s, Selma Fraiberg
Early memories fade because language, which binds experiences into coherent narratives, is underdeveloped in infancy.
In simple terms: Kids lack words, so early memories are fragmented.
Key Takeaway
Encourage language-rich environments for children.
Themes
development
memory
language
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
psychological
educational
When to use this quote
- parenting
- early education
- therapy sessions
Key Concepts
cognitive psychology
neuroscience
Questions to Reflect On
- How does play influence early memory?
- Can visual cues aid memory formation?
A Different Perspective
Language alone may not fully capture sensory memory.
