- By Eden
- Salley
Improve Memory and Attention with this Simple Activity: “Do You Know What’s Missing?”
This article is part of our weekly series Executive Function Tips for Families.
A Quick and Fun Way to Boost Working Memory
If you have just ten minutes on your hands, you can turn everyday moments, favorite stories, or household items into powerful working memory practice. This game is a fantastic way to strengthen your child’s working memory and inhibitory control, as they remember visual details and resist the urge to peek at hidden pictures. Give it a try!
Before We Continue: What is Executive Function?
Executive function (EF) encompasses three primary cognitive processes: working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. These mental processes help us plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and manage multiple tasks successfully. Building these skills early on sets the foundation for lifelong learning and success. Read on to see how this game helps build EF skills.
This Game Builds the Following EF Skills:
Working memory: Your child has to remember which objects are missing or rearranged.
Inhibitory control: No peeking allowed! Children will need to resist the temptation to uncover the hidden objects.
What You'll Need:
- Time: 10 minutes to play
- Space: A table or floor space with enough room to display images
- Materials:
- Family photos
- A familiar storybook
- Construction paper, tape, and scissors
Ready to Play? Game Levels and Step-by-Step Instructions:
Select a game level that best suits your child’s age, and build up from there. Encourage them to make guesses and share what they notice as the game progresses.
Note: Ensure your child knows the names of people, characters, or items before beginning the game.
Game Level 1: Who is Missing? People We Know (2-3 years)
- Hold up a group photo or series of photos and mention the missing people.
- Say something like “Here are the people in our [family/neighborhood/class]. Who do you notice is missing?” or “Can you remember their names?”
- If your child struggles with remembering, have them recite the names to themselves.
- You can adjust the difficulty of this game level by changing the number of photos and using verbal cues to help your child remember.
Game Level 2: Who is Missing? Familiar Character (3-4 years)
- Cover characters in a familiar storybook.
- Read the story, revealing covered characters one by one.
- Ask your child to remember and identify the missing characters. Say: “Who is supposed to be here?” or “Who is trip-trapping over the bridge?”
- Gradually increase the difficulty by hiding more characters.
Game Level 3: What is Different? (4-5 years)
- Remove or change an item’s location before your child enters the room.
- Ask your child to notice what is missing or changed. Use questions like “Do you notice what is missing?” or “What usually goes in this part of the room?”
- Encourage them to reflect on their observations and guesses.
- Increase difficulty by hiding more items as you play.
Game Level 4: What is Missing? (5-6 years)
- Ask your child to bring some objects to a shared area.
- Tell them to close their eyes, remove an item, and have them guess the missing object.
- Discuss observations and play multiple rounds. Say things like: “One of the toys is hiding! Can you guess what toy is missing?” and “What did you notice while playing this game?”
- Adjust the difficulty by changing the number of objects involved.
Game Level 5: Traditional Rules (6+ years)
- Pre-select items and lay them out in front of your child.
- Instruct them to close their eyes and remove one of the objects from view.
- Have your child identify the missing item.
- Encourage silent examination before answering.
- Adjust the difficulty by changing the number of items involved.
Game Level 6: Rearrange Items (6+ years)
- Repeat the previous activity but also rearrange the remaining items.
- Instruct your child to identify the missing and rearranged items.
- Say “This time, I’m going to move the other things around. Can you identify what’s missing and rearranged?”
- Discuss observations and play multiple rounds.
After You Play: Talk & Reflect
After each activity, take some time to discuss the experience with your child. Encourage them to reflect by asking open-ended questions about their experience and strategies:
- “What was the hardest part of the game for you?”
- “What strategy did you use to remember the items?”
- “What could you try next time to remember better?”
Model reflection by restating some of your child’s responses. Use this reflection time to acknowledge their challenges and reinforce their learning.
Additional Ideas & Resources
- Use themed items based on the time of year
- Incorporate vocabulary and learning labels for new items.
- Invite older siblings to increase the family photo memory fun!
- Include various colors and shapes, using blocks for younger children.
Whether you’re using family photos, favorite storybooks, or familiar objects around the house, this game is sure to bring some memory-boosting fun into your day!
