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If you have attended our memory training workshop, you understand the value of a strong memory. But what is the value to your child? Three things:

1.) An enhanced memory will help kids believe that they’re smart, which builds self confidence. 2.) It equips them with a valuable habit that will serve them in their relationships and endeavors in life. 3.) It will make their lives and yours easier.

The good news is that teaching memory skills to kids is easier than you could imagine. Kids are natural sponges, psychologically and physiologically programmed to absorb massive amounts of data from surrounding sources.

Plus in the early stages of learning, they’re entirely opened minded to you as a credible source for that data. When a 6 year old asks, “Mommy, how do I remember…..” you can say anything. Close your eyes, put your finger on your nose, hop on one foot and think about what you want to remember and you’ll never forget it. Chances are the kid will try what you told him. You might feel your knowledge is limited but with a willing and enthusiastic learner, you’ll be a phenomenal teacher.

There are three things to remember as you teach kids the memory skills you’ve learned:

1. Make it Natural

Kids learn by example and if you use the memory techniques yourself, just take the internal process you’re using and make it external and include them in it. You don’t have to explain everything, just direct them.

A good example is, next time you go to the store, use your mental file folder system to create a grocery list, but do it with your child.

On your way to the store just say, “Timmy I need your help remembering what we’re going to buy at the store. So, here’s what we’re going to do. We need bananas, so close your eyes Timmy. I want you to imagine you’re stepping on bananas and squishing them up between your toes. Can you feel how sticky and gooey it is? Now what’s in your toes?”

Don’t over do it with them, just walk them through five or six items and then have them help you remember when you get to the store. They’re learning the process without it even needing to be explained!!

2. Make it Fun

The more kids enjoy it, the more they’ll want to do it. My kids and I regularly spend 30 minutes in the car between my house and their mom’s, so we like to make up mental games to play. One of those games involves remembering states and capitals. Now, when I was young I learned the states and capitals but through rigorous repetition. My kids learned them by helping me create mental pictures and short change visualization.

Start with a simple explanation. The Capital City of New Mexico is Santa Fe. I asked them, “Do you know how to remember that? We’ll make it a picture. What do you think of when you hear New Mexico?” I think my son was the one who said that he thinks of a sombrero. When I asked, “What do you think of when you hear Santa Fe?” My daughter said that sounds like a fake Santa, Santa fake. I said, “Okay, so I want you to close your eyes and picture a fake Santa putting on a brand new sombrero.”

You’ll find that when you do this, you kids will often laugh and that’s a good thing. It means they’re having fun and the pictures effective. Now, at first when you review these things, review the image with them by asking a question about it. For example, “Do you remember our fake Santa? What’s he doing? What was he putting on?” Then they’ll say a new sombrero. Be sure to then remind them what it means. We’re not drilling them on the meaning, we’re drilling them on the picture and explaining the meaning..

3. Make it Practical

Help your kids develop memory techniques that make their lives and yours easier. One good way to do this is to help them make a list of the things they need to take to school the next day. Convert those items to mental pictures and help them file those pictures to their body files. Do this with them every night and before bedtime. Then in the morning remind them to go through their list and get everything they need.

After awhile, you’re going to help them develop a habit that will serve them forever, plus you’ve taken a situation that might have been a source of conflict, nagging or even some shame and turned it into a powerful learning moment that will strengthen their trust in their relationship with you and build self sufficience.

I hope this helps you teaching your kids to develop their memories. If you have any other questions, feel free to post a comment below. Also make sure to visit our website and take a look at our Student’s Winning Edge – Memory Training product that can help you with valuable tools to train your child for success in life.

If you have any success stories with your children, I would love to hear them. Again, please post your stories below.

Be Free!

Blaine Halverson