What is Missing? And, other Memory Games

by Sherry Holetzky | More from this Blogger

24 Apr 2006 05:52 AM

Here are some ideas for activities that are not only fun but that will also stimulate your child's memory.

Fill a box or cookie sheet with odds and ends from around the house. A toy, a marker, a coin, a pencil sharpener, dice, a piece of candy, a paper clip, and other small assorted objects. Lay them out so they can be seen completely. Count the number of items, so you'll know how to calculate each participant's score.

Have each child look at the collection of objects for a set period of time (20 seconds is good). Next, have each child turn away, where he or she can no longer see the items. Remove one item and have each of your children write down which item is missing, numbering each item as he or she goes down the list (you need to write each one down as you take it away as well). Continue until all the items have been removed then see which child got the most correct answers.

A variation on this game is to set up a collection of objects and have each child concentrate on it for one minute. Remove the tray from view and have each child write down as many items as he or she can remember. The child with the most correct items listed wins.

*Add extra items for the second version to make it more challenging.

Another twist is placing a few items in specific positions, then moving some or all of the items around while your children have their backs to the tray. The child who remembers the most correct positions wins the game.

These games also make good birthday party activities. The difficulty level and number of items used will depend on the age and skill of the children participating. For older kids, you might also make it a rule that names of items must be spelled properly to qualify as correct answers.

Learn more about Sherry Holetzky

Sherry Holetzky is a work at home mom and freelance writer. Married to her best friend, Sherry and her husband are raising their family in a quiet rural setting in the beautiful Ozark Mountains.

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