Memory and Word Play
Dear Subscribers:
If you have limited time to read through the entire blog, here are a few play-based activities focusing on activities to enjoy together as you support your child to enhance their working memory and to enjoy word play and language. By engaging in language games such as Simon Says, riddles, tongue twisters or alliteration, children gain a better understanding of how sounds and language work. They experience the rhythm of language, anticipate the next word which prepares them to make predictions, and expands their imagination. These activities can also improve their concentration, problem-solving abilities, critical thinking and working memory. Most importantly, language games often boost children’s mood, make them laugh, and give them a sense of accomplishment.
1. Read and sing together 📚
- Read Betty’s Burgled Bakery: An Alliteration Adventure by Travis Nichols and go on a detective adventure full of alliteration fun to find out who pilfered the pastries!
- Alliteration for Kids Song (2:21 mins.)
- Wishy Washer Washer Woman song (3:59 mins.)
- Alliteration for Kids – A to Z Examples song (4:00 mins.)
- Simon Says Music Game (2:11 mins.)
- Chester Raccoon and the Acorn Full of Memories by Audrey Penn. Chester Raccoon’s good friend Skiddel Squirrel has had an accident and will not be returning – ever. This story will help children to understand the positive purpose behind memorial services and how “making memories” can provide cheer and comfort when missing an absent loved one or pet. (See paw print activity below.)
2. Create together: Puzzles, Crafts, Singing, Drawing and Constructing 🧩
- Read and sing the rhyming story Down by the Bay (3:04 mins.) and then enjoy cutting, pasting and creating a rhyming activity game based on the story.
- Create individual memory matching games with children to sharpen their recall skills. Download and print two copies of each page, then have your children cut and paste. You can also create the following memory games for: Animals, Farm Animals, Birds, Bees, Robots and Transportation
- Prepare to create a memory – if you have a special pet and wish to set aside a family keepsake for a time when they are no longer with you, watch how to make an easy salt dough pet paw print. with your child. (11:29 mins.) You learn how to make the dough together, press the animal paw print and then paint the ornament.
3. Explore together 🌍
- Play a game of Simon Says to focus on different skill areas including memory, listening, body awareness, gross motor skills, vocabulary and thinking skills.
- Here is a downloadable list of Simon Says ideas or another one with funny directions.
- This article explains all the benefits of the game Simon Says and gives many more ideas to use at home or in the classroom.
4. Engage and Interact: 👭
- Looking for riddles to stump your children? Here are 43 awesome riddles to share and enjoy. Not enough? Here are 203 more fun riddles and even more riddles and brain teasers.
- Enjoy 103 Funny and Interesting Tongue Twisters with children.
- Have fun joining with your children as you attempt 52 incredible tongue-twisters for kids or 72 more tongue twisters to make all of you giggle or 71 tongue twisters to perfect your pronunciation
- The following are short alliteration poems for children and some games as well.
5. Reflect: Remembering, Memory and Word Play 💭
- Pronunciation practice? Watch a video of Tongue Twister Fun (7:07 mins.)
- Read an article about 10 quick and proven techniques to boost children’s memory or 22 memory games that really work.
