Improving Memory Skills: Maximize Your Child's Study Sessions by Helping Them Improve Their Memory

Memory is defined as our ability to retain, store, and recall information. There are things many parents do already that can help with improving memory skills, such as a game of peek-a-boo, repetition, associations, and constant reviews. Proper technique and reinforcement is essential in helping to improve a child’s memory. Learning to improve your child’s memory will help to maximize their study sessions, as well as help young children learn the basics quicker, as well as better retain what they learn.

Vitamins

Feeding the brain is essential to a strong a solid memory. Children need to consume plenty of “brain vitamins”, such as vitamin B, omega 3, foliate, and vitamin B12. Vitamin B and vitamins B12 are found in vegetables, dairy products, and whole grains. Foliate is found in strawberries, beans, orange juice, avocado, spinach, asparagus, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. Omega 3 can be found in trout, avocado, extra virgin olive oil, mackerel, and nuts and seeds. Children must also consume adequate amounts of water to keep their memory sharp, as well as to help improve and strengthen it.

Rest and Activity

Children need exercise to help maintain and improve their memory. Exercising helps to improve memory in children because it helps the brain regenerate by an increase in oxygen leading to improved blood circulation. Children should get a minimum of thirty to sixty minutes of cardiovascular exercise each day. Children also need plenty of rest to help improve their memory. A major part of improving your child’s memory is to ensure they are getting adequate sleep. Children age four and under need at least eleven to twelve hours of sleep per night. Children above four years of age and teenagers should be getting at least nine hours of sleep per night. When children are tired they will have a more difficult time learning, storing, retaining, and recalling information.

Repetition

Things like learning to count, learning the ABC’s, learning to count money, memorizing facts about the war of 1812, and memorizing the periodic table are all made possible through repetition. Repetition works to improve the memory of children of all ages. The key to repetition is to do it often. Have children use repetition to improve their memory several times a day. For example, for younger children learning to count and say their ABC’s, have them recite them when in the car, when they are helping to make dinner, when they are getting ready in the morning, and any other time there are a few spare minutes. For adolescents and teens, quiz them often about the information they need to store, retain, and recall. Once a child states the answer several times, for several days, they will ultimately remember it.

Association

Association is a technique for improving memory in which they associate things like colors and objects with their corresponding words. For example, when teaching a young child colors, parents can use crayons. Sit down with your child with a box of crayons and a coloring book. Have them ask for the specific color they want to use and encourage them to find the crayon in that color. After they choose the green or the pink crayon several times, they will ultimately remember which color is which and will easily be able to choose that color in the future. Association is also a great way to help children learn numbers, letters, shapes, and animals.

Online Memory Games

There are dozens of sites with fun games that kids can play to help with improving memory. These games generally focus on repetition and association. These sites incorporate bright colors, animals, and favorite cartoon characters to help children stay enthusiastic and engaged. Some of the most popular online memory games sites for kids include KidsMemory.com, TheKidzPage.com, and PlayKidsGames.com.