We all know how it ends – your child goes off to do something, and when you check later, what they were supposed to do is still undone. Or they keep forgetting things. Or you spend hours helping them revise and their results are worse than ever.
Why do some kids seem to have trouble remembering information? Why do they seem to forget things so easily? More importantly, how can one improve kids’ memory? And are there any tricks that can help?
When your child first learns information, that information is stored in his or her working or short-term memory. It can get lost, or it can become part of their long-term memory.
For many children, this information disappears and it is not uncommon for them to struggle with memory problems.
Memory problems can manifest themselves in your child’s inability to remember things, constant forgetfulness (for example, forgetting homework at school), or needing to be reminded regularly to do something.
The good news is that several studies have shown that you can help your child improve his or her long-term memory. Here are six easy ways to get started.
Six Easy Ways to Improve Kids’ Memory
1) Establish a routine
There are so many positive outcomes associated with routines. Routines help give your child a sense of security, they reduce problems with inattention, and they can also help strengthen his or her memory.
According to German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus, the brain loses its ability to retain information over time. This is known as the forgetting curve.
Ebbinghaus suggests that repetition can help flatten the learning curve. Establishing routines is an easy way to make it easier for your child to retain certain information. For example, you can start a night-time routine of “three things to do to get ready for school tomorrow.
Routines can also be helpful if your child is struggling with a specific school-related problem. For example, you can help them practice reading, writing, or dictation skills every Monday and Thursday right after their snack.
Repetition is how your child learns, so don’t be afraid to repeat the same information until it’s mastered.
2) Get your child to write down the things that matter most
To-do lists and grocery lists work because there’s a very good chance that if something isn’t on the list, it won’t get done. Encouraging your child to write down everything important is an easy way to help them with their memory.
Get them an age-appropriate journal and have them write down their homework, extracurricular activities, and anything else they need to remember.
3) Try presenting information differently
Young children sometimes need help remembering information. Some children will remember information better if it is presented visually, others will remember anything that rhymes!
A visual representation of what is expected of your child can make it easier for them to remember things. For example, you can take pictures of important information or even use visual schedules to remind them of what is expected of them when they wake up or before they go to bed.
If your child is always forgetting what they need to take to school or what they need to bring home from school, a visual representation of all the items they need to remember to pack can help them remember.
Creating rhymes with lots of repetition can also make it easier for your child to process new information.
4) Have your child repeat the information he or she has understood
Repeating information moves new knowledge from short-term memory to long-term memory.
Asking children to tell you what they have learned or understood, or even asking them to explain the task in their own words, is an effective way to help them retain information.
5) Help your child manage stress and anxiety
Stress and anxiety can interfere with your child’s ability to remember. It is important for them to know that they have your support and that learning new things may mean failure before the new information is permanently mastered.
Teaching your child coping skills, such as deep breathing, counting to 20, and so on, can help them better manage their anxiety. Making sure they get enough exercise is also important for stress reduction and overall well-being.
Lack of sleep and rest may also explain your child’s anxiety. So making sure they get enough sleep can improve both their mental health and their ability to process information.
Helpful reading
Anxiety coping skills for kids
6) Reduce the number of instructions you give
If your child keeps forgetting what he or she is supposed to do, or if tasks or chores are always half done, it may mean that he or she has difficulty processing information.
An easy way to help is to reduce the number of instructions they receive. For example, you can give them one instruction at a time and ask them to come to you when they have finished what you have asked them to do.
If you’re struggling with how to improve your kid’s memory, take heart: children’s ability to process information often improves over time as they get older and develop new skills.
An earlier version of this article was published on ParentMap.
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