Why Children Forget
Have you ever practised something with your child and thought they had finally got it — only to find that they seem to have forgotten it the next day?
This can be frustrating for parents, but forgetting is a normal part of learning.
Children are learning many new things at the same time. A new skill may not yet be firmly established, so they often need to come back to it more than once.
Forgetting does not necessarily mean that your child has not learned anything.
Learning Takes Time
When children first learn something new, they are still building their understanding of the skill.
They may be able to complete something correctly during one practice session, but that does not always mean the skill is secure.
Children need opportunities to use what they have learned again and again.
Over time, repeated experiences can help new knowledge and skills become more familiar.
Knowing Something Once Is Not Always Enough
A child might correctly write a letter during handwriting practice and then form it differently the next day.
They might read a word successfully one afternoon but hesitate when they see it again later.
They might understand a maths problem when an adult helps them, but struggle to solve a similar problem independently.
These situations do not necessarily mean the child has gone backwards.
The skill may simply need more opportunities to become secure.
Children Are Learning Many Skills
Children are often learning several new skills at once.
They may be working on reading, spelling, handwriting, numbers, memory, listening and following instructions all within the same week.
It is natural for some information to be easier to remember than other information.
A child may remember something they have practised many times while forgetting something they only encountered once or twice.
Forgetting Can Be a Reason to Revisit
When a child forgets something they have previously learned, it can be tempting to think they need to start all over again.
Often, they simply need another opportunity to use the skill.
Revisiting can remind children of what they already know and give them another chance to strengthen the connection.
- Review a skill they learned previously
- Practise it again in a simple way
- Give them time to think about the answer
- Encourage them when they remember
A short review can be enough to bring a familiar skill back into focus.
Repetition Helps Make Learning More Familiar
Children often benefit from seeing, hearing and using the same skill on more than one occasion.
This does not mean doing exactly the same activity for a long period of time.
Instead, a skill can be revisited regularly through short and manageable practice.
For example, a child learning spelling words might practise a few words today, revisit them tomorrow and then use them again later in the week.
This gives the child several opportunities to remember and use the information.
Keep Practice Short and Simple
When children are struggling to remember something, more practice is not always better if it becomes tiring or overwhelming.
Short practice sessions can give children another opportunity to work on the skill without making learning feel like a big task.
You could spend a few minutes reviewing:
- A small group of spelling words
- A few letter sounds
- Several handwriting formations
- A simple number skill
- A small group of words they have previously learned
The goal is to give children another chance to use what they know.
Children May Remember More With a Little Help
Sometimes a child needs a small reminder before they can remember what they have learned.
An adult might give them the first sound of a word, remind them where to begin a letter or ask a question that helps them think about the answer.
That little prompt can help bring the information back to mind.
Instead of immediately giving the answer, try giving your child a moment to think and see whether they can remember it themselves.
Do Not Turn Forgetting Into a Problem
Children can become discouraged if they feel they are expected to remember everything perfectly.
It can help to treat forgetting as part of the learning process rather than as a failure.
You can simply say:
- “Let's have another look.”
- “Can you remember what we did last time?”
- “Let's work it out together.”
- “Have another go.”
This keeps the focus on learning rather than on getting everything right immediately.
Learning Can Come Back Quickly
Sometimes children appear to have forgotten a skill, but when they revisit it, they remember more than expected.
A familiar word, letter or concept may only need a small reminder before the child can use it again.
This is one reason it is useful to keep revisiting skills rather than assuming that forgetting means the child needs to start from the beginning.
Previous learning can provide a foundation for the next practice session.
Give Children Time to Build Secure Skills
Children do not all learn at exactly the same pace.
Some skills may become secure quickly, while others need many more opportunities to practise.
What matters is giving children regular chances to revisit what they are learning.
With time, practice and encouragement, skills that once required a lot of thought can become much more familiar.
Australian Educational Resources for Children
Regular practice is easier when children have simple educational resources they can use again and again.
Our Australian educational resources are designed to support children as they practise important early learning skills, including handwriting, phonics, spelling and other foundational skills.
Resources are available across Australian state and territory handwriting styles, helping families choose materials that match the style used at school.
Keep Revisiting What Your Child Has Learned
Children will forget things as they learn.
That does not mean they are not making progress.
New skills often need to be revisited several times before they become secure and easier to use independently.
Keep practice short, give your child opportunities to have another go and encourage them when they remember.
With regular opportunities to revisit learning, children can gradually build stronger and more secure skills.
