How Can You Help a Child With Short-Term Memory Struggles Using Multi-Sensory Learning?
By Julie Diamond, Founder & CEO, Diamond Teachers Group
If your child has ADHD and you’re looking for ways to help them focus and stay on track at home, check out How Can I Help My Child with ADHD Focus and Stay on Track at Home?
If your child struggles with short-term memory, things like remembering instructions, sight words, or math facts can feel very challenging. I see this often in the learners I work with, and it can impact both confidence and school success.
The good news is that there are simple, practical ways to help at home that make learning stick better. One of the most effective approaches is multi-sensory learning, which uses touch, sight, sound, and movement together.
Here are easy, parent-friendly strategies you can try:
Hands-On Learning Ideas
Fill a Ziploc bag with shaving cream or hair gel then close it and have your child use their finger to spell sight words on the outside of the bag
Use sand, salt, or rice trays for writing letters and words. The texture helps strengthen your child’s memory.
Write words on a foggy mirror after a bath or shower
These hands-on ideas are fun and provide a sensory experience that helps your child develop better recall.
Turn Learning into Music
Create simple songs for multiplication tables or spelling rules
Use clapping or tapping to keep rhythm while saying facts
Use familiar tunes like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”
Find catchy educational songs on YouTube
Incorporating music is a great way to help your child remember math facts, and phonics.
Add Movement to Learning
Jump while skip counting (2s, 5s, 10s)
Clap for vowels, stomp for consonants
Do “action spelling” (each letter has a movement). Jolly Phonics is a fantastic program that I’ve used with Kindergarten students. It teaches reading and writing through songs, actions and stories.
Create scavenger hunts around the house for sight words. Make it a game and time them to see how many words they can find.
Use Visual Supports
Highlight word patterns in the same colour (e.g., light, night, bright)
Use sticky notes for step-by-step instructions. Depending on your child’s comfort level, you can start with two steps using ‘First’ and ‘Then’ or give a few numbered instructions.
Create simple charts or checklists. I LOVE crossing off things on my To Do list!
Keep Learning Short and Focused
Work in short bursts (10–15 minutes). If your child struggles with focusing, use a timer and tell them what will be next. First we will find these 5 sight words, then we will take a break.
Focus on 2–3 concepts at a time
Repeat skills across different times of the day
Avoid long, overwhelming sessions. Depending on your child, you may find that they are much more productive in 15 minute then 5 minute break increments vs pushing them for an hour.
Use “Teach Back” Strategies
Ask your child to explain what they learned
Have them teach a sibling, parent, or stuffed animal
Ask questions like:
“What did you do first?”
“How did you figure that out?”
“Can you show me?”
Connect Learning to Real Life
Cooking: measuring, fractions, reading recipes. When we make dinner at our house, my 9 year old stepson is responsible for reading the recipe step-by-step and measuring the ingredients.
Grocery shopping: reading labels, counting money
Daily routines: sequencing steps (morning, bedtime, etc.). Use visuals to help your child remember what’s first, next and last.
Keep It Positive and Playful
Use games and songs whenever possible
Celebrate their effort, and not just when they get correct answers
Keep sessions light and low pressure. They aren’t going to have the energy in them everyday.
Use humour and creativity to reduce stress
Supporting a child with short-term memory challenges is not about doing more worksheets or more repetition in one sitting. It’s about giving the brain more ways to connect with information.
When you combine movement, sound, touch, and visuals, you can help your child store and retrieve information more easily. Over time, this builds stronger memory, greater independence, and more confidence in learning.
If you’re interested in learning more about other ways to help your child with short-term memory challenges, we can connect you with a teacher who tutors to support your child. Contact us to learn more about our tailored online sessions.