3/22/24 blog post

5 ways to make memories that will last a lifetime

how making memories can help you create connections with the child in your life

As a parent or caregiver, we recognize that spending time with our kids and creating memories with them is important to their development. But how can we make sure that our kids are capturing their memories and making the most of these special moments?

In this article:

The importance of memories to mental health
5 ways to create momentous memories with your kids
FREE DOWNLOAD: Memory Maker worksheets

Think back to some of your earliest and fondest memories. What are some of the things you remember about these moments? Is it the smell of popcorn and pizza every Friday during family movie night? Is it the people you were with while watching fireworks or a concert? Or is it the pit in your stomach you felt when you got in trouble for breaking something at home?

Reinforcing memories, especially the special ones we share with our kids, is crucial for building connection. According to Psychology Today, recalling shared memories ensures that we are part of each other’s thoughts, and the more we are together in thought, the stronger our relationship.

“When we take time to have shared experiences with our kids, we show them that we enjoy spending time with them and build a positive connection that we can reference for years to come,” said children’s mental health expert Emily Weitz.

We’re going to discuss five simple strategies for helping the kids in our lives make lasting memories from the positive moments they experience.

five steps for making memories last

1. Celebrate

Finding small ways to celebrate a moment can help to reinforce the memory. It can be as small as eating a bowl of ice cream to celebrate the end of a sports season, keeping a small souvenir from a trip, or a candle in your mashed potatoes to celebrate the end of the school year.

2. Talk about the memory

Take some time on a random day to bring up some fun times that you’ve had together!

You can start the conversation with a simple, “Remember when we…” or “That was so much fun when we…”

This helps the child remember the moment and shows them that you think about positive memories and cherish spending time with them.

3. Create a "memory keeper"

Try to make a scrapbook page, photo album, or journal about the experience. You can turn this into a family activity and get everyone involved in sharing their memories! Every so often, take some time to look back at your memory keeper and remember the positive memories.

4. Read books related to the experience

Find books that relate to the memory you are going to make! Find books about going on vacation, experiencing a snowstorm, or starting a new activity or sport. For example, if your child is about to start playing in a soccer league for the first time, find and read a book together about a kid who plays soccer!

These can be non-fiction or fiction books and you should find a book that best fits your child’s reading level.

This is helpful because reading books strengthens the parent/child bond, increases interaction, and reinforces the experience by learning what to expect and creates expectations that can enhance the experience.

5. Find excitement in the little things

Build up the memory by taking time to focus on every aspect of the little moments. When your kid jumps for joy at the sight of an airplane up in the sky, keep the excitement going! Ask them where they think the airplane might be going, who might be on it, and what it might feel like to fly like an airplane!

This can encourage your children to open up and share their positive memories with you!

free download: solar eclipse memory-making packet

Dayton Children’s is excited to help families get ready to create cherished memories during the solar eclipse on April 8th, 2024. This is an exciting moment whether you're in the path of totality or not! Check out our eclipse resources from coloring pages, videos and more by clicking here.

Then, download our free packet of eclipse learning resources which includes: