The development of children’s autobiographical memory for learning episodes

Children’s autobiographical memory for life events develops across the early years of childhood (ages 4–6). During this same period, important shifts take place in children’s adjustment to school, and their need for the retention of academic information. How do children recall instances of learning, in and out of the classroom, and how does their ability to do so change across development? How are episodic memories for learning experiences connected with the long-term retention of factual and conceptual information? In this chapter, we consider these questions, as well as factors that influence the way young children construct memories of learning experiences. We offer evidence that elements of the classroom environment (e.g., documentation) and parent-child conversations during and after learning episodes shape the way learning experiences are constructed over the long term in the service of education and as part of children’s autobiographies.