Improving Memory of Young Children

We can improve the memory of our children through play and practice without them knowing that we are doing so. The principle of  “Use it or Lose it” applies very well in memory improvement.

We can start memory training as young as three years old. One method that I recommend to parent is the grocery list. I tell the mother that before leaving their house, she should make a short list of things to buy from the grocery.

Start with two items, example: milk and apple. Write them is a small piece of paper, and show it to your child, and say, “Please remember what we will buy at the grocery, mild and apple. Please remind mamma when we reach the grocery what we will buy.”

Upon arrival at the grocery, ask you child: “What will you remind mamma? What are we going to buy?”

If your child is successful with two items, the next time you go to the grocery make three items and write it on a piece of paper. Follow the script above. Make the list longer each time your child is successful with remembering grocery items.

Leo Leonidas, MD, FAAP, Assistant Clinical Professor in Pediatrics, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston; Attending Pediatrician, Eastern Maine Medical Center, Bangor, Maine

Please send my your suggestions and comments to improve this site:

lleonidas@pcpediatrics.org

I wrote and designed this website for parents of our practice. Before you use ideas from this website, please discuss it first with your clinician if you are not with our practice.

copyright Leo Leonidas 2002
 

Started 26 Sept 06