10 Natural Ways to Help Your Child Improve Memory and Retain What They Learn
When memory becomes a roadblock to learning
If you're like many caring parents, you’ve probably watched your child study for hours, only to forget everything by the next morning. It’s frustrating — for both of you. Especially if your child already struggles with school-related anxiety or learning challenges. You might even wonder: Is it a problem with motivation? Focus? Or does their brain just work a little differently?
More often than not, the answer lies in how the brain absorbs and stores information. And the good news? There are natural, child-friendly strategies you can start using today that better align with how your child thinks, feels, and remembers.
1. Connect learning to emotion and personal experience
Memory is deeply linked to emotion. If something feels exciting, scary, funny or personally meaningful, the brain is more likely to store it. That’s why your child might remember an entire movie quote-for-quote, but not their multiplication tables.
Try turning study content into short stories involving your child — literally. Some apps, like one we recently discovered, even transform lessons into audio adventures where your child is the main character. Imagine your child playing the hero who saves a village by solving math problems or decoding language patterns. That kind of learning doesn’t just stick — it sparks curiosity.
2. Let them teach you what they’re learning
This is one of the simplest, most powerful memory tools out there. When your child teaches you what they’ve learned, they’re forced to organize information, explain it in their own words, and identify gaps in their understanding. Have them pretend to be the teacher. Sit at the “student’s desk” and ask questions. Play dumb. The sillier you make it, the better.
3. Use movement to anchor knowledge
Ever notice how your child remembers a dance routine, but not their geography notes? That’s because movement creates neural connections. Encourage them to pace as they recite facts or clap to rhythms when learning vocabulary. Some kids even benefit from turning definitions into mini choreographed routines.
Combining the learning with a movement gives the brain more hooks to cling to, making it easier to retrieve later.
4. Use sound — not just sight
Most traditional homework is written. But not all kids are wired to learn visually. If your child zones out when looking at notebooks, try auditory learning. Turn reading materials into audio using tools or apps that let them listen while walking, relaxing, or even in the car. You’ll be surprised how much more they remember when listening instead of staring at a page.
In fact, one family we spoke to plays multiplication facts on their morning drive to school — and their daughter now “sings” them back with no effort.
5. Turn study time into game time
Games activate multiple areas of the brain and make repetition less boring. Whether it’s trivia quizzes, flashcard races, or made-up rule-breaking contests (my son and I love “backward spelling,” where points come from wrong attempts!), learning through games increases motivation and boosts memory.
If you don’t have time to create your own, some tools allow you to turn a photo of a lesson into an instant 20-question quiz personalized for your child — no prep work.
You can explore more ideas in this guide to game-based learning.
6. Use short sessions with strong beginnings and endings
We tend to remember the first and last thing we hear or do — it’s called the “primacy and recency effect.” So instead of one long 45-minute session, split studying into three 15-minute bursts. Start with a confidence boost (review what they already know), and end with a laugh, praise or a silly recap.
Short and sweet often beats long and exhausting.
7. Add visuals or draw their own
Let your child illustrate parts of the lesson — even stick figures work. Making diagrams, mind maps, or comic strips helps organize thoughts in ways the brain finds easier to retrieve. When a child invests time creating their own visuals, it becomes a form of memory rehearsal.
Also consider using color coding for different themes or subjects. Visual cues like this can trigger memory recall later on.
8. Use their environment to your advantage
Did you know that where and how your child studies can significantly affect retention? A cluttered, overstimulating space makes it harder to concentrate, and shifting locations too frequently can disrupt memory anchors.
This excellent article on study environments offers easy ways to turn even a corner of your home into a memory-friendly zone. Incorporating soft background music, dim lighting, or scented candles can also help create memory associations — especially for emotional learners.
9. Space out the repetition — don’t cram
Learning is like planting seeds. The brain needs time and repeated exposure to water and care for new knowledge to grow. Instead of reviewing everything in one night, help your child revisit the same topic briefly several times over a week. It's called “spaced rehearsal,” and it's far more effective than cramming.
10. Make room for sleep and rest
This may not sound like a memory strategy… but it might be the most critical one. During sleep, the brain literally files and stores the day’s information into long-term memory. Without enough quality rest, even the best memory tricks won’t work.
If your child is consistently tired or stressed, they simply can’t retain much. So before worrying about forgetting, look at sleeping habits first. Sometimes the best way to help your child remember… is to let them sleep.
Final thoughts for tired parents
If helping your child study has become a daily battle, you’re not alone. But know this: it’s not about working harder — it’s about working differently. Every child has a brain that’s wired in its own beautiful way. And when we adjust the approach to fit that wiring, learning becomes less of a struggle and more of an adventure.
Take small steps. Try one or two ideas from this list over the next week. And if something clicks — even if it seems silly or unconventional — embrace it. Your child’s brain is telling you what it needs.
And above all, remember: you're doing an amazing job, even on the messy days.
For more help figuring out why your child forgets their lessons and how they learn best, keep exploring our resources.