, Child s Memory
Tips for Your
Part 1
Dr Janine Cooper
A
sk a child, ‘what did you do
rather than a poor memory per se.
today?’ and you may receive
So how do we help children build their
a shrug of the shoulders or
memory skills?
the familiar answer of ‘nothing’. Many caregivers believe this is due to children having limited memory abilities. However, brain imaging research suggests that the regions responsible for acquiring and storing information that form memories and enable learning, develop early in a child’s life. Rather the response of ‘I can’t remember’, is most likely due to a child’s limited attentional
abilities
associated
with
regions of the brain that mature at a slower rate through childhood and adolescence,
1. Make it interesting One of the best ways to promote memory regardless of age is to capture a child’s attention.
By focusing on their current
interests, you can frame information that is less attractive in a way that commands their interest immediately. However, having their attention is just the first step. Before we can find effective ways to support a child’s memory, we have to know what type it is and what it is used for. 2. Know the type of memory
combined with factors such as a lack of
Once information enters our brain via our
interest and how an adult asks a question,
senses it can be held temporarily ‘online’
DISCLAIMER
GREAT HEALTH GUIDE | 47
