Types of Memory Your Child Needs to Understand and Retain Learning


There are various types of memory that children use to process and retain what they learn. Some memories last a lifetime, while others disappear in seconds. But did you know that there are three different types of memory storage in children? Each one helps filter out the endless stream of information in their lives. Here are the three types of memory your child experiences daily and how they support their intelligence and school performance.
1. Sensory Memory: A Fraction of a Second
Sensory memory holds information only long enough to process it. This information is acquired through the senses in a fraction of a second to a few seconds. Sensory memory can store vast amounts of data but for very brief periods. It is divided into five types, one for each sense. This memory type allows a visual image, touch, or sound to linger in the mind momentarily after the stimulus occurs. Once this information is processed, it is either replaced by new sensory data or moved to short-term memory.
2. Short-Term Memory: Organizing Academic Information
Short-term memory, also known as working memory, can hold around seven elements (give or take two) for about 30 seconds without rehearsal. This indicates that this type of memory has a very limited capacity. Working memory is essential for a child when thinking in school, organizing information, and handling daily tasks in the classroom. For example, remembering a phone number or instructions from the teacher, and repeating the numbers in their head before writing them down. However, distractions can easily cause the number to be forgotten. There is also a link between better working memory capacity and higher intelligence in children.
3. Long-Term Memory: Limitless and Stable
If facts, tasks, experiences, or knowledge are considered important to remember, your child's brain will store them in long-term memory. While this process is more complex, generally speaking, information is stored based on its content and purpose. Long-term memory can store vast amounts of information indefinitely. Unlike sensory and short-term memory, long-term memory is not limited and does not degrade quickly. Long-term memory is also divided into three independent systems:

Episodic Memory: Responsible for storing information about the time and place of events. It depends on the context (e.g., your child's memory of their first school day).
Semantic Memory: This refers to knowledge about the world, such as general facts and wisdom. It acts as a mental encyclopedia (e.g., knowing that there is a Northern and Southern Hemisphere dividing the Earth).
Procedural Memory: This is unconscious memory related to skills or how to do something. For example, learning to ride a bike or tie shoelaces involves procedural memory, which is developed through practice.
How to Improve Your Child’s Memory
Children are exposed to new sights, sounds, and knowledge every day. Along with school lessons, they practice new skills regularly. Supporting your child’s memory can help them overcome challenges. Here are some ideas to enhance their memory:
1. Play Music
Music adds a special touch to mundane tasks and can be helpful when memorizing important information. The rhythm and lyrics of a song can help your child associate crucial details with a melody, aiding them in recalling the information later.
2. Chunk Information
If there’s a lot of information or a big task to tackle, break it into smaller parts. Start by focusing on the most challenging part first, making it easier for your child to absorb and process.
3. Daily Memory Practice
While in the car, at the dinner table, or while getting ready for school, review what your child is learning in class. Introduce new skills or interesting facts that can help them in school. Repetition and focusing on details will secure their long-term memory pathways.
Foods That Boost Your Child’s Memory
Several foods can enhance brain function and improve memory retention. Here are some foods to add to your child's diet:
Eggs Eggs help improve concentration and memory. Consider making scrambled eggs with whole-grain tortilla wraps for breakfast or offering boiled eggs as a snack.
Greek Yogurt Full-fat Greek yogurt, which contains more protein than regular yogurt, keeps brain cells in good condition for transmitting and receiving information. Serve it at lunch with fun additions like high-fiber cereals or blueberries, which contain polyphenols for brain health.
Vegetables Spinach and kale, rich in folate and vitamins, are linked to lower dementia risk in later life. Kale is also packed with antioxidants that help brain cells grow. You can blend spinach or kale into smoothies, add them to omelets or lasagna, or bake them with a little olive oil and salt.
Fish Fish, especially salmon, tuna, and sardines, are good sources of Vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids that protect the brain from cognitive decline and memory loss. Omega-3 fatty acids boost brain function, improving focus and concentration. Serve grilled fish with a dipping sauce or add it to tacos or tuna sandwiches.
Nuts and Seeds Nuts and seeds are packed with protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. These foods support mood and maintain the nervous system. If your child isn’t fond of seeds, try spreading nut butter on whole-grain crackers or cookies.
Oats Oats, rich in protein and fiber, keep the heart and brain arteries clean. Add cinnamon to oatmeal as the compounds in the spice may protect brain cells.
Apples and Peaches Apples and peaches contain quercetin, an antioxidant that may combat cognitive decline. The skin of the fruit holds many of the beneficial nutrients, so choose organic fruit, wash it well, and serve it as a quick snack.
Incorporating these foods into your child's daily diet can support cognitive development and improve memory retention, helping them excel academically.

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