If you’ve noticed your child struggling to recall schoolwork, even when they try their best, you’re not alone. Let’s explore some common reasons for these difficulties and discover practical strategies to support your child’s learning journey.
What is Memory for Learning?
Memory for learning is a child’s ability to retain information taught in school.
When a child experiences difficulties with this type of memory, they may encounter academic challenges or learning disabilities. You might observe your child forgetting spelling words, vocabulary, or multiplication facts, despite studying and practicing.
Signs Your Child May Be Having Trouble with Memory for Learning
- Forgetting spelling words or multiplication facts consistently
- Difficulty recalling information for tests
- Struggling to keep up academically despite hard work
- Excelling in non-academic areas but struggling with schoolwork
- Performing better on hands-on projects than tests
Why Some Children Struggle with Memory for Learning
There can be many reasons why your child may struggle to remember what they learned in school.
Memory problems have little or nothing to do with intelligence. It is more about the engine in the brain and the way it is running. Often, kids can remember facts and information much better when they are instructed to use strategies that match their learning style.
Here are some reasons your child may have challenges with learning.
- Processing speed: This refers to how quickly a child processes information. Slower processing can make it harder to learn and connect new information to existing knowledge.
- Learning disabilities: These are brain-based differences that can make it more challenging to understand and remember information in certain subjects. Common learning disabilities include dyslexia (reading), dysgraphia (writing), and dyscalculia (math).
- Attention challenges: Difficulties with attention can make it hard for children to focus on and absorb information in the first place, leading to challenges with recall later on.
Learning Styles: How Your Child Learns Best
Every child has a unique way of understanding and remembering information. This is called their learning style.
Here’s a quick look at three common styles.
- Auditory learners: These kids learn best by hearing information. They might say things like, “I hear you,” when they understand something.
- Kinesthetic learners: These kids learn by doing and moving. They might say, “Let me try that” or “I need to get my hands on it.”
- Visual learners: These kids learn best by seeing information, like pictures or diagrams. They might say, “I see what you mean” or “I can picture that.”
Understanding your child’s learning style can help you find ways to support their learning at home and at school.
How to Support Your Child to Remember Information
- Use effective study strategies: Encourage your child to study a little each day rather than cramming. This approach, known as distributed practice, helps information move into long-term memory.
- Embrace multi-sensory learning: Make learning fun and engaging by incorporating different senses. Use songs, rhymes, movement, and hands-on activities to help your child learn and remember information.
- Make learning meaningful: Connect new information to your child’s interests and existing knowledge. Use real-life examples, stories, and activities to make learning relevant and memorable.
- Create a supportive environment: Provide a quiet study space free from distractions. Offer encouragement and praise for your child’s efforts.
Parenting pitfalls in memory for learning
- Relying solely on cramming for tests: Research shows the ‘distributed practice’ which is learning a little bit each day is much more effective than ‘mass practice’ which is cramming. Remind your child that slow and steady wins the race.
- Using only one teaching method
- Overlooking the importance of a quiet study space
- Neglecting your child’s emotional well-being
Pearls of wisdom in memory for learning
- Be patient and understanding. Typically kids are really trying to do their best. They get frustrated when they have trouble remembering information learned in school. With patience and practice, it can get better.
- Celebrate small victories. You can build momentum by celebrating every little triumph in your child’s learning journey. One little quiz, a small homework assignment, or a test that went well are all reasons to take a moment to celebrate your child’s progress.
- Focus on your child’s strengths. Remember that we don’t all learn the same way or have the same skills. That’s okay! You can build on your child’s strengths. If your child is a visual learner or a good artist, you can help by having your child draw out math problems or a thought web for a research paper
Final Thoughts on Memory for Learning
If your child is struggling with memory for learning, remember that you’re not alone. By understanding the causes and implementing effective strategies, you can empower your child to succeed in school and beyond. Remember to be patient, supportive, and celebrate their progress along the way.
Resources for challenges with memory for learning
Flanagan, Dawn P. (2014). Cross-Battery Assessment: A Pattern of Strengths and Weaknesses Approach to SLD Identification. St. John’s University, New York Yale Child Study Center, School of Medicine.
Higbee, Kenneth. (2008) Your Memory: How it works and how to improve it.
Kroncke, Willard, & Huckabee (2016). Assessment of autism spectrum disorder: Critical issues in clinical forensic and school settings. Springer, San Francisco.
Lorayne, Harry & Lucas, Jerry (2012) The Memory Book: A classic guide to improving your memory at work school and play.
The Learning Journey (Retrieved 2017). Match It! Memory, Spelling.
Michaelian, Kourken (2013). The Information Effect: Constructive Memory, Testimony, and Epistemic Luck. Synthese 190 (12):2429-2456.
Sousa, David A. (2016) How the Brain Learns
