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Spending time teaching your child some new games is the perfect way to get creative and boost your bond – and you’ll often be laying the foundations for learning while you play!
Being able to remember, process and carry out instructions is a skill we develop as we grow. It’s linked to an executive function of the brain known as working memory which plays a key role in your child’s ability to learn; research from Durham University in the UK also shows a link between this skill and achievements in literacy, language and maths.
As they grow, your child will need to call on a wider range of skills, including working memory. For example, you might ask your pre-schooler to change their clothes, wash their hands, and tell their brother it’s time for dinner. They may only do one of these, or forget what to do next. This is normal, and stumbling blocks like these are most probably due to working memory limitations.
But you can start honing your child’s processing skills from their early years, and make it fun for both of you. The following games can all help – why not try one today?
For toddlers (ages 1-3)
1. Simon Says
This simple game can help strengthen your child’s auditory, visual processing and attention skills. Give your child instructions which they should follow only if you say the words, "Simon says." (for example: "Simon says Jump!"). For older toddlers, add multiple instructions, such as, “Simon says, touch your head, touch your toes and clap your hands twice.”
2. Cup Shuffle
This concentration game helps to hone your child’s observation skills and strengthens visual memory. Line up three paper cups and place a small object (or a treat) under one cup. Shuffle the cups and then ask your child to guess where the object is. Adjust your shuffle speed at depending on the age and ability of your child.
For pre-schoolers (ages 4-5)
3. Spot the Difference
Tell your child to close their eyes and change something about your appearance (take off your glasses for example). Then, ask your child to tell you what’s changed. This game helps to develop visual memory and attention skills.
4. The Tray Game
Put five simple objects on a tray, such as a pencil, pen, eraser, small toy, coin or ornament. Ask your child to look at them for a couple of minutes before covering the tray and ask them to write down all the objects they can remember. This will help develop your child’s visual memory and, in turn, stimulates working memory.
5. I Went Shopping
Start the game by saying, “I went shopping and bought an apple.” Your child should repeat what you said and add their own choice of item to the list (for example, “I went shopping and bought an apple and a banana”). Keep going until someone can’t remember the list or makes a mistake. Players need to focus, listen, add items and recite sentences, which helps them practise lots of skills.
For primary school kids (ages 6-7)
6. Memory Cards
Spread out a pack of playing cards face down on the table in rows. Each player takes it in turns to turn over two cards, looking for a matching pair of numbers. If the cards match, the player keeps the cards and gets another go. If not, they replace them and play moves on. The person with the most matching pairs is the winner. This game involves focus and sharpens your child’s attention skills
7. I Went On Holiday
The first player thinks of a place beginning with the letter A and then says, for example, “I went on holiday to Africa.” The next player repeats the sentence and adds a place beginning with B (“I went on holiday to Africa and Bangkok…”) Play continues until someone makes a mistake or you reach the end of the alphabet. This is great for sharpening up auditory, memory, cognitive and attention skills.
Remember: Make instructions simple and split them up into manageable tasks. It’s also good practice to make children repeat the directions they have just heard.
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