expression, godan verb (-ku)
become old enough to understand things; reach the age of awareness
Used for children reaching an age where they can perceive and remember their surroundings, typically around 3–5 years old. Often appears in past tense (物心が付いた) or with 頃.
物心が付いたときには、もう祖母はいなかった。
By the time I was old enough to understand things, my grandmother was already gone.
物心が付く前
I have almost no memories from before I reached the age of awareness.