Ways to improve your child's memory

Asking questions helps to ensure that your child is developing a deeper understanding of a given topic. It also helps them to develop critical thinking, independence and problem-solving skills.

You can make learning more engaging for your child by having discussions about different topics, asking your child what they think, allowing them to be active in their learning. This encourages children to keep the information in their minds long enough to answer questions about it, helping them develop critical thinking skills while improving memory power.

Encourage your child to use visual aids to help them remember information that has been recently read and heard. Create flash cards or mind maps that include words, images, and colour. Building connections between words and topics help children to actively engage with the material and develop a deeper understanding, which is an important part of memory power.

Encouraging your child to explain the information they are learning makes it a challenge for them to see how much they can remember. They can then go back and review any of the material they were unsure about.

Start small with the basics and build comprehension from there. Organise the information together with headings, bulleted lists, and colours to make it easier for your child to recall later.

Research suggests that staying hydrated and eating certain foods help improve memory and brainpower. These include:

Leafy greens like kale, spinach, or broccoli, which are rich in vitamin K, lutein, folate and beta carotene, can help slow cognitive decline.

Avocados, which are rich in folate and omega-3, boost brainpower, brain function and improve mood.

Fatty fish such as salmon or tuna are an abundant source of omega-3, which lower the risk of clots in the bloodstream, keeping a good essential supply of oxygen to the brain.

Berries such as blueberries, raspberries, or cranberries contain flavonoids – the natural pigments that give them their colour, which may also help to improve memory.

Walnuts are an excellent source of protein and healthy fats, which also improve memory.