A healthy level of self-confidence can assist children with their memory skills1. Children who have confidence in their ability to remember things will be more likely to use strategies to enhance their memory and improve academically, compared with those who lack self-confidence.
Low self-esteem in children may lead to short-term memory difficulties, as they tend to approach learning situations and exams in a state of nervousness and anxiety.
So it's important that you boost your children's confidence level from an early age, to prepare them for tougher educational years in the future. Here are some tips on how you can help improve your children’s self-confidence while boosting their memory skills.
Positivity matters
Encourage and praise your child when he makes an effort to remember what he has learnt, as it helps boost his level of self-confidence.
Don't obsess over what your child can't remember, or judge him on his memory competency, as he can easily end up demoralised.
Learn to stay organised
Teach your children how to organise their study materials, so that they can work on their revision study effectively. Keep notes in files and folders, so that all materials are easily within reach.
How to cope with stress
Assist your child in learning different ways to cope with stress and anger caused by the facts and details your little one might forget. These emotions can sometimes hamper your child’s confidence in his or her memory and learning skills.
Why overconfidence can be harmful
Make sure that your child doesn't become over-confident about what he remembers. The negative effects of being wrong can seriously discourage your child.
1Self-esteem and memory. Tafarodi, Romin W; Marshall, Tara C; Milne, Alan B, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2003, 9-45. Retrieved on August 27, 2015 from Research Gate: http://www.researchgate.net/publication/10958511_Self-esteem_and_memory.