Why your kid is so forgetful (and what to do about it!)

Are there times when your kid is forgetful and you think to yourself that it happens far too often? Is it obviously unintentional and frustrating for your child as well? You should look into how to improve working memory as some of the suggestions below may be helpful.

In this article we will consider some possible reasons why your kid if so forgetful and also look at some of the ways that their memory can be improved.

What causes memory problems in children?

READ: Parenting with ADHD: What to Know and Why it is Important

1. ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Children with ADHD may have difficulties with working memory. Their attention and focus may be easily diverted, making it challenging to retain and recall information.
2. PTSD. Children who have experienced traumatic events may develop PTSD, which can affect their memory. Intrusive thoughts and flashbacks can disrupt concentration and cognitive function, leading to memory issues.
3. Physical trauma to the head. Head injuries, such as concussions or more severe trauma, can result in memory problems. Damage to brain structures may impact memory retrieval, storage or formation.
4. Slow processing speed. Some children process information more slowly than others. This can affect their ability to absorb and retain information efficiently, leading to memory difficulties.
5. Disorganisation. Children who struggle with organization may misplace items, forget tasks, or lose important information. These disorganized habits can result in memory lapses.
6. Different learning style. Every child has a unique learning style. If a child’s learning style doesn’t align with traditional teaching methods, they may have difficulty retaining information presented in a less compatible way.
7. Lack of sleep. Sleep is crucial for memory consolidation. Children who don’t get adequate sleep may experience difficulties with memory and cognitive function. During deep sleep, the brain processes and stores information from the day.

All of these circumstances can lead to a decline in children of not just general memory but specifically working memory. When your kid is forgetful, you might want to consider how to improve working memory.

What is working memory?

Working memory is the way that our brains work with information. Whenever you use some information that your brain has managed to recollect, you are utilizing your working memory.

To explain further and put this into the context of this article, whenever your child remembers their two times table correctly, for example, and uses it to solve a story problem you’ve given them, they are using their working memory.

Baddeley defines working memory as “a system for holding information and allowing it to be used to perform a wide range of cognitive tasks…”

3 reasons Why working memory exercises can help

1. Tools for daily life. To put it simply, working memory exercises for your child may be helpful because they could give them tools to incorporate into their daily life. Working memory exercises enhance a child’s ability to temporarily hold and manipulate information. 

This skill is crucial for tasks like following multi-step instructions, solving math problems, and remembering directions. It provides them with practical tools for handling various aspects of daily life more effectively.

2. They keep their minds active in a constructive way. Engaging in working memory exercises is a mentally stimulating activity. It challenges children to think, plan, and organize information, which keeps their minds active and encourages cognitive development. 

This constructive mental exercise can contribute to overall intellectual growth.

3. They can improve their concentration. Working memory is closely related to the ability to sustain attention and focus. By practising working memory exercises, children can enhance their concentration skills. 

This can be particularly valuable in educational settings, where improved concentration can lead to better academic performance and a deeper understanding of subjects.

10 exercises to boost your child’s working memory

When your kid is forgetful, here are some activities you can try with and for them to improve their working memory.

1. Picture matching

This exercise involves remembering the location of matching pictures. It challenges a child’s visual-spatial working memory, as they need to retain and recall the positions of different images, improving their ability to hold and manipulate visual information.

2. Alternating sequences

Tasks that require children to switch between different sequences or patterns challenge their working memory. This exercise helps them remember and shift between these sequences, improving cognitive flexibility and working memory.

3. Face matching

Similar to picture matching, face matching exercises require children to remember and match faces. This helps in enhancing their visual working memory, as they must recall and compare facial features.

4. Spelling backwards

Requiring a child to spell words backward forces them to manipulate and retain information in their working memory. It exercises their verbal working memory, helping them with tasks involving language and spelling.

5. Playing the game of telephone

This classic game involves a sequence of whispers, challenging children to remember and pass on information accurately. It exercises their auditory working memory and communication skills.

6. Card games

Card games like memory or concentration involve remembering the location of cards. They are excellent for exercising visual-spatial working memory and enhancing the ability to hold and manipulate visual information.

7. Encourage the use of checklists

Having children create and use checklists for tasks or chores encourages them to use external aids to support their working memory. This can be especially helpful in organizing and completing tasks efficiently.

8. Learning a second language

Learning a new language requires memorizing vocabulary, grammar rules, and switching between languages. This exercise challenges verbal and cognitive working memory, promoting linguistic skills.

9. Discourage multitasking

Teaching children to focus on one task at a time can improve their working memory as it helps reduce cognitive load and enhances concentration on the current task.

10. Learning to play a musical instrument

Learning an instrument involves memory for notes, rhythm, and hand movements. It exercises both auditory and motor working memory, enhancing musical skills and cognitive abilities.

What successful methods have tried to improve your kid’s working memory?