How to Create Positive Family Memories With Your Child

How to Create Positive Family Memories With Your Child
As parents, we often spend time reflecting on our childhoods as we navigate raising our children. In that process, we inevitably find ourselves reminiscing on past memories.
Whether these memories are positive or negative- they are with us for life! That may leave you wondering what memories your child is creating and holding on to.
If you are eager to ensure that your child is creating positive family memories, you are in the right place!

In this article, we will discuss why it is important to create positive memories with your children, why you should start early, and some activities you can do to begin this journey with them!

Why is it important to create positive memories with your children?
No matter who you are, where you live, or what your life is like, there will come a time when negativity and/or hardship will creep into your life. When this happens, it is helpful to have positive childhood memories to remind you of the joy and happiness that is possible!

As parents, we can’t prevent certain difficulties that our children will face. We can, however, support our children by providing them with opportunities to experience positive moments that they will remember well into the future.
At what age do children develop a sense of memory?

The age that a child begins to create lasting memories is different for every individual. On average, a child’s brain is developed enough to begin creating memories by age 2 and a half.

With that being said, some people report their earliest memories being at one year old, while some are as late as 5 years old!
Since we don’t know exactly when our child will tune into storing memories long-term, it is only beneficial that we do activities that are fun and pleasant together as early as possible.

Activities To Do With Your Child
Now that we understand the value in giving children the opportunity to have fun, you may be wondering exactly WHAT you can do to create that positive experience and memory.

We have compiled a list of 5 activities that can be done early in life with your child to help them to develop positive memories that will last them a lifetime!
Spend time outdoors
Spending time outdoors has been proven to offer an abundance of benefits. Some of these benefits include:

Improved development of gross motor skills
Improved muscle strength
Improved ability to explore
Increased sense of independence
Imaginative play
Creativity
Increased confidence

Aside from setting the stage for some unique and fun memories, you will also be helping your child to connect with nature in a way that can change their life for the better.

Not only can wonderful and unique memories be made out in nature, but spending time in nature lays a wonderful groundwork for the development of future healthy habits!

Develop a skill together!
Depending on the age of your child, you may find it difficult to find activities that you can do together. If this is the case, learn about your child’s interests and go from there! Develop new skills related to his interest.
For example, if your child is interested in drawing, invest in a drawing book for each of you. By showing your child that their interests are worth your time, they will be more inept to spend time with you!
Invest in learning about the things that they enjoy.

While it’s great to develop a new skill together, your child surely has an array of interests and talents that they have already well-developed.
If your child loves technology, connect with your child by asking for their advice on the best online learning games. By showing respect and admiration for your child’s knowledge and skill set, your child will associate your love and respect with their childhood memories of you. You can help to enhance his computer skills.

If your 5-year-old child is interested in computer or video games, take time to scout out the best educational games for 5-year-olds. In doing this, you will confirm your interest to your child, and remind them of their value to you! They will want to invite you to spend time with them if they feel you are interested in the things that they are. The more quality time spent together, the better the chance that your child will remember these precious moments.
Make simple moments special.
Positive memories do not require extravagant memories that are expensive or overly time-consuming.
Take the calm, seemingly-mundane moments in a day and turn them into special memories by using that time to genuinely connect with your child. You can do this by:

having heartfelt conversations
Listening intently
Cuddling/being close to one another
Asking questions
Respecting the child’s privacy in a conversation

Memories are often associated not with the specific details of an activity or an event, but with how an individual felt as a result of said activity or event. With that said, few things could negate the positive memories associated with love, respect, and goodness!

Reminisce often with your child about special moments you have shared.
To help to imprint an event in a child’s mind, do the following:

Discuss the event that you are wanting your child to remember
Ask your child how they felt about the event
Get or make a souvenir of the event
Draw a picture of the event
Remind your child of the event repeatedly

Doing these things will assist in creating the neural pathways that will lead your child to remember this event for longer!

Creating positive memories with your child and your family will give your child the opportunity to better cope with challenging situations in the future. Take the time to plan and prepare for special moments, and then carry them out to the best of your ability.
Even if your ideas don’t play out perfectly according to plan, use the skills listed above to turn them into the best experience possible. You’ve got this!