The Importance of Playing Memory Games

What Are Memory Games?

You might use luminosity and your parents might enjoy crossword puzzles. These are both terrific examples of memory games that enhance cognition and memory. The same benefit derived from these adult games can be achieved by utilizing memory games for children.

At first it was thought that cognition was developed later in life but now it’s proven that these previously held assumptions were inaccurate. As mothers we know, having witnessed all the miracles from birth, that our children are learning and developing and rapidly.

However, a recent study confirms that in fact, 90% of a child’s brain is actually formed by the age of 5! This startling research has altered the way in which we are interacting with our precious children and in turn the importance we now place on cognitive development.

What Is Cognitive Development?

Cognitive Development is a child’s ability to learn and solve problems. Piaget, whose theory of cognitive development is well regarded, believed that “children took at active role in the learning process”. The Urban Child Institute expertly reveals the science behind what is occurring in your child’s brain. “Genes provide a blueprint for the brain but a child’s environment and experiences carry out the construction”.

We are all familiar with the nature vs. nurture debate, and this is at the center of the discussion, as these two components influence the way in which our children grow, develop and ultimately succeed in life.

Our children and therefore their brains too are ‘coded’ via our genetics. However, the other vital component impacting our children’s brains and development is their environment/experiences. It is this component that we as mothers can greatly influence, nurture and mold. As parents, we all strive for the same goals with our children, we want them to succeed and be the best they can be.

This greater understanding of cognitive development reveals that engaging in games aimed at enhancing cognitive ability and developing problem solving skills is essential to your child’s future success. You might be thinking, ‘Oh there’s time, my daughter is only 3 years old’. Unfortunately, you would be sadly mistaken.

We are now cognizant of the fact that the first five years of our child’s life are extremely important. They form our child’s future “health, happiness, growth, development and learning achievement at school, in the family and community, and in life in general.”

However, what many might not know is that “the first three years are the most critical in shaping the child’s brain architecture”. Early experiences provide the foundation for the brain’s “organizational development and functioning throughout life”. There is a direct correlation between early experiences and how children acquire learning skills, as well as social and emotional abilities.

The most important thing to realize is that it’s not too late to positively impact your child’s cognitive development. Interestingly, “in the first three years, a child’s brain has up to twice as many synapses as it will have in adulthood”.

IMPORTANCE

Boosting a child’s memory capacity is one of the greatest gifts you can afford your children. Studies reveal that increased memory capacity also improves self-awareness, communication skills, social skills and self-confidence. Improvements in concentration also aid future learning.

Learning while playing is easy to master with the assistance and assurance of trusted games for your children. Studies reveal that the sooner you cultivate your child’s cognitive abilities, the better.

Improving your child’s concentration is especially vital in today’s technological society. Over-stimulus, a detrimental effect from all of our 21st century gadgets, has unfortunately created many troublesome problems for our children. Attention deficit disorder being one such notable condition, not to mention the alarming studies showing that people’s attention span is less than a fish. In order to avoid such issues in your child’s life, you need to ensure that their concentration and therefore memory skills are cultivated.

As kids grow up and head towards school age, the importance of learning through playing increases. Through games and playing, children can nurture their imagination, improve their ability to listen, as well as develop important cognitive skills that will aid their future development. And memory games are a vital part of this.

Everyone has played some kind of memory game at some point. Whether that’s spot the difference, simple pairing games using playing cards, or even doing a crossword. They all require the players to use their memory to complete the game. And in doing so, users are developing their key skills.

We’ve got a classic memory game to play in Team Kids. So just how do memory games help kids develop?

1. · Playing memory games can improve other brain functions, such as attention, concentration, and focus. Memory games give space to critical thinking and that helps children nurture their attention to detail.
2. · Memory games can improve visual recognition. With many memory games based on spotting differences, or linking two related images, children improve their visual discrimination. This will lead to an acceleration in distinguishing images from one and another.
3. · Short-term memory is key to playing memory games and playing them often will improve function in this area. A good short-term memory can improve a person's long-term memory too. Both are linked and being able to move things from your short-term memory into long-term will improve learning in other areas.
4. · Though memory games are a short-term boost, players have to plan their moves as they go. From revealing a card to plotting their next move, children can learn the importance of thinking ahead and plotting their next choice.

The incredible benefits are not only limited to your children, as whomever plays with them will reap the rewards too. If you consider your own parents for a moment, you’re probably thinking of ways in which you can enhance their cognition. The wonderful part about these types of games is that they’re terrific for all ages. A grandmother in her late ‘60’s will derive much benefit from playing memory games too.

In this way, these games are multi-generational and especially when grandparents are babysitting, you can be rest assured that your children will be engaged in stimulating activities that enhance their cognition. Similarly, you will have the added bonus of knowing that your parents too will be activating their own minds when playing with your children.

In today’s world where we’re ‘connecting’ on multiple platforms, yet not really connecting, it’s imperative that we have ways to share, learn, stimulate and grow and these can be achieved via educationally sound memory games.