Perhaps one of the most frustrating aspects of parenthood is having to give instructions….again. And again. And again. Sometimes I find myself giving the same instructions three or four times in a row, my kids seeming simply to have forgotten what they were asked to do.
So how can we help our kids remember not only directions at home, but also what they are taught in school? Start by putting some of these simple strategies into place to encourage good memory skills, no matter what is asked of your children!
Strategy 1: Start with one-step directions and build from there. When kids are given a chance to slowly stretch their memory skills, they will have more success in the future. Brittany Gash, a special needs Pre-K teacher from Raymore, suggests starting by giving one-step directions: “Please pick up your Legos.” As kids get used to following those simple instructions, begin adding additional steps. “Please pick up your Legos, then pick up your stuffed animals and then make your bed.”
Strategy 2: Read and ask questions. Reading is one of the best activities you can do with your kids! Amp up the memory skill benefits by reading a page and then asking questions about what you just read. As you do this, your kids will start to realize subconsciously that paying attention to information in the moment makes it easier to recall later.
Strategy 3: Attach a scent to a project, idea or set of instructions. Certain aromas such as rosemary, sage or peppermint may be used to help kids focus and remember the information they have been given, according to several studies. Grab a diffuser and some therapeutic-grade essential oils and try diffusing the aroma into the air as kids do homework or every time you instruct them to do something specific (like clean their rooms). The aroma will help them focus on the task, remember the directions, and also eventually will become connected in their brain to that particular activity or set of information.
Strategy 4: Practice makes perfect! Spend some time helping your child review and embrace new ideas or skills with the understanding that repetition can be a very helpful way to learn. Then allow some time for those new memory skills to set in. Practicing the art of remembering things will help kids develop more independence and confidence over time as they become more comfortable with their recall ability.
Strategy 5: Offer brain breaks. Remember that growing minds need breaks so that they don’t get too overwhelmed! Help your children learn new information, review it and then let them take a brain break. When you come back, review it again to see how much they recall. Remember that while repetition is your best friend, so are brain breaks. They play well together, which means your children can grow their memory skills and keep from stressing out at the same time.
The best thing we can bring to the table as parents is patience, room for our kids to grow into their new skills and the understanding that someday they probably will use those skills against us.
Rebecca Ishum lives with her husband, Sean, and their 5-year-old quadruplets in Belton, MO. New skills are always being learned and practiced at their house! Read about their adventures at ABeautifulRuckus.com