Games can play a vital role in enhancing the growth and development of children. Have a quick look at the games that can help to sharpen their memory.Memory developing skills are an important part of child’s development as they help in cognitive and intellectual behaviour in the later years. Every parent wishes to raise a “smart and intelligent”child but what must be remembered is that each child is unique and her developmental needs are different. Though scholastic abilities help children in achieving professional and personal success, they should be trained in a number of non-classroom abilities to ensure an all-round development. Such abilities include –
- Better communication and social skills
- A sense of teamwork
- Development of cognitive skills
- Better thinking skills
- Development of muscle-to-mind coordination
- Imagination and visualization skills
- Artistic skills
Let us take a look at some games that can help to sharpen the
memory of children.
1. What’s Missing?
Set up a row of three or four small toys, such as a crayon, a miniature doll and a toy car. Tell your child to cover her eyes and hide one of the toys under an opaque plastic bowl. Have your toddler open her eyes and ask her which toy is hidden. If your child is not sure which toy is hidden, try prompting her and praise her when she guesses correctly. Give her the opportunity to quiz on the missing object. This fun game enhances your toddler’s spatial recognition skills.
If you have a slightly older child, hide a small toy under one of the cups and ask her to follow as you shift the cups around. Ask her to point out the cup under which the toy is hidden.
2. Patterns and Colours
Set up a simple pattern using different-coloured blocks. Ask your child to study the pattern for five minutes. After five minutes, mix up the pattern and ask her to replicate it. Begin this activity with only two colours and increase the number as your child’s pattern recognition skills improve.
3. Memory Game or Concentration
In this game, a series of cards are spread face upside down. The child is allowed to turn up only two cards at a time, and has to rely to her memory to match up all the cards. This activity helps in enhancing the child’s muscle-eye coordination, improving imagination and visualisation and short-term memory skills. The
game can also be enjoyed by the parent, which can improve their memory as well. Bonus – it also creates a loving bond between parent and child.
4. Memory Dials
A memory dials has eight compartments to hold colour and picture compartments. The child studies the sequence for five minutes and then shuts the dial plate, and slowly turns the dial. When the dial stops, she attempts to recall what picture or text will appear in the next compartment. Often, these compartments have a write and wipe surface so that the child can use a dry eraser to wipe out marks. This can help your child develop sequential memory capabilities, and develop your child’s pattern recognition skills and systematic information.
5. Picture Guessing Game
A picture guessing game can help toddlers and younger children have fun and
intellectual development at the same time. Encourage your child to guess the picture which is covered by the squares set in the frame. As this is a parent-child activity, you can substitute the pre-printed picture with photocopies of other scenes, objects or even family photograph.
The game helps your child in enhancing their mental focus,
attention-to-details and part-whole perception skills along with entertainment. This game is best recommended for 4-7 years of age.
As an added benefit, look for memory toys that have different levels so that you do not have to buy new
toys every time your child outgrows the older one. Ensure that the programmes are easy and interesting enough as children get bored very easily. Parents could buy a programme that has a multiplayer system in case you want to share the fun.
How to sharpen the memory of children? What is the role of nutrition in boosting memory of children? What kind of games help in sharpening memory of children? Discuss here.