Why Childhood Development Matters and the Impact of Trauma
Haley Aguero, M.A.
One of the most common misconceptions about childhood is the idea that “kids don’t remember their early years.” Because of this belief, many people underestimate how deeply these experiences shape a child’s development. But childhood development tells a different story—one that reveals the incredible complexity of early childhood and the lasting impact those first few years can have.
The Truth About Early Memory
Children have two types of long-term memory: implicit and explicit memory.
- Explicit memory, which typically develops around age three, is what most of us think of when we hear the word “memory.” It’s the conscious recall of facts, experiences, or step-by-step processes—like doing a math problem or following a recipe. This kind of memory fades over time and is often the source of the “earliest memories” people can verbally describe.
- Implicit memory, however, is present from birth. It stores information unconsciously—things like emotions, bodily sensations, and habits. For example, a child doesn’t need to be taught how to feel safe when hugged or how to be fearful in unsafe situations. These responses are rooted in the body and are deeply tied to early experiences.
This is why trauma experienced in infancy or toddlerhood can have a lasting impact. Although a child may not remember the event in a story-like way, the body remembers. Traumatic experiences such as neglect, loss, or abuse are encoded in implicit memory and can show up later through emotions, behaviors, and physical responses, often without the child consciously understanding why.
Development Happens in Stages—And Each Stage Matters
Children grow at their own pace, but all follow a predictable developmental path. From infancy through adolescence, each stage has its own set of milestones that build on each other. This growth spans across physical, cognitive, and emotional domains—and it cannot be rushed. However, trauma or disruptions in a child’s environment can delay development, causing a child’s emotional or behavioral responses to appear younger than their actual age.
For example, a 9-year-old who experienced early trauma might function emotionally more like a 5-year-old. This isn’t bad behavior—it’s a sign that the child’s development was paused or slowed by circumstances beyond their control.
How Children Learn and Think: Piaget’s 4 Stages of Development
Psychologist Jean Piaget identified four key stages of cognitive development. Each stage highlights how children’s thinking evolves as they grow:
1. Sensorimotor Stage (0–2 years): Infants learn about the world through their senses and motor actions.
2. Preoperational Stage (2–7 years): Children begin to use symbols and engage in pretend play. They start understanding identities and basic cause-and-effect.
3. Concrete Operational Stage (7–11 years): Logical thinking develops. Children can solve problems and consider multiple perspectives.
4. Formal Operational Stage (11+ years): Abstract thinking emerges. Children can think about hypotheticals, plan for the future, and understand complex ideas.
The Power of Abstract Thought
Abstract thought—the ability to think beyond the here and now—doesn’t fully develop until adolescence. But its seeds are planted much earlier through play, especially pretend play.
Sociodramatic play (like pretending to be a doctor or a superhero) allows children to explore ideas, roles, and emotions they don’t yet have words for. According to Duncan & Tarulli (2003), this kind of play helps children build the foundation for abstract thinking by imagining and acting out scenarios, problem-solving, and experimenting with different perspectives.
With abstract thinking, children begin to:
- Understand concepts not tied to physical objects (like justice or time).
- Classify and make sense of experiences.
- Solve unfamiliar problems.
- Plan ahead.
- Consider possible outcomes and make informed decisions.
In Summary: Why Early Childhood Development Matters
Childhood development isn’t just about milestones—it’s about building the foundations for lifelong learning, relationships, and well-being. The early years, even the ones we don’t remember explicitly, shape who we become.
By understanding how memory works, how trauma impacts development, and how children grow through stages, we can better support them at every step. Whether it’s through nurturing relationships, creating safe environments, or encouraging play, every moment matters in the early years—and those moments add up to a lifetime.