Episodic memory in 3- and 4-year-old children

There is considerable debate about the phylogenic and ontogenic origins of episodic memory. In the present experiment, we examined episodic memory in 3- and 4-year-old children. To do this, we developed a hide-and-seek task that allowed us to assess children's recall of the what-where-when (www) of the hiding event. In this task, the experimenter and the child hid three plush toys in three separate locations around the house. After a brief retention interval, children were asked to verbally recall, in order (i.e., when), what toy was hiding where. Following this verbal test, children were given the opportunity to find the toys. On the verbal recall test, 4-year-olds reported more information than 3-year-olds. On the behavioral recall test, 3-year-olds performed equivalently to 4-year-olds on the where components of the test, however, their performance on the when component remained inferior to that of 4-year-olds. We conclude that, by the age of 3, children exhibit rudimentary episodic memory skills, and that strict reliance on verbal recall may underestimate their episodic memory ability.