How to Help Your Teenage Son Remember
Teenage boys don't always have the greatest memories, especially when it comes to recalling things parents have asked them to do or remember. Your teen is dealing with a number of biological and psychological changes and external stimuli, such as academic stress or social pressure, that can cause him to become easily distracted or forget things that might seem easy to remember. A teen's short-term memory can be affected by brain growth that occurs during early adolescence, according to the National Education Association. But by creating the right environment and implementing certain rules and techniques, you might be able to help your teenage son remember and recall information more easily.
Instructions
Ensure that your son gets at least nine hours of sleep each night. The average teen only gets around 8 1/2 hours of sleep on school nights, but they actually need between 9 1/4 and 9 1/2 hours for optimal functioning, according to the National Sleep Foundation. A study published in the 2012 issue of the online, peer-reviewed open access journal "PLOS One" found that teens who got enough sleep at night had improved declarative memory, a type of long-term memory that involves the ability to recall information like facts and knowledge. Create a low-stress environment during study time or other times when your son needs to concentrate. Keep noise and distractions to a minimum. Encourage your son to use stress management techniques, such as deep breathing or exercise, to help him cope and deal with excessive stress. Negative stress -- meaning stress that causes a detrimental impact on your child's well-being -- can inhibit both short- and long-term memory, according to an article by educational consultant Victoria Tennant for the Johns Hopkins School of Education. Discourage the use of alcohol and other substances that can affect memory. Talk to your son about the negative effects of alcohol abuse, such as impaired memory, an increased risk of engaging in dangerous or reckless behaviors, legal consequences and poor health. Binge drinking becomes more popular in mid-adolescence and the college years, according to a health report published by Harvard Health Publications, appearing on the Help Guide website. It can cause blackouts, or memory loss of the events that happened while intoxicated, as well as other detrimental side effects, like poor academic performance, injuries and even alcohol poisoning. Remind your son to eat a healthy, well-balanced breakfast. Eating breakfast is linked to improved cognitive functioning, particularly in the area of memory, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. KidsHealth suggests eating foods that are rich in whole grains, fiber and protein. These nutrients don't just help memory -- they also can improve concentration and attention. Encourage your son to experiment with memory training games. This can also be a fun way for you to connect with your son. You can find numerous free memory games online. For example, the University of Washington's Neuroscience for Kids website has a list of useful experiments and games that teens can use to test and help improve their memory, recall and concentration.