The ability to construct autobiographical memories – coherent narratives about events from one's past – is probably the joint product of several social and intellectual developments. A. Although children are capable of simple recognition and recall very early in life, they do not develop the capacity for autobiographical memory until the age of three or four years. B. Verbal skills and familiarity with narrative structures probably aid in the construction of autobiographical memories. C. Children's earliest autobiographical memories are usually about social interactions with parents. D. Research suggests that infantile amnesia occurs in some cultures but not in others and may be linked to children's social experiences. E. The development of autobiographical memory allows children to appreciate the fact that memories are an important part of their cultural experience. F. Children who have acquired a concept of the self and of various mental states are generally able to talk about their own past memories.