Why Your Child Keeps Forgetting (and How to Fix It)
Did you know your child might forget up to 80% of what they’ve studied within just one week—yet effortlessly recall scenes from their favourite Marvel film? It’s puzzling, frustrating, and surprisingly common. At James An College Eastwood, we often hear this concern from parents. But it’s not due to a lack of intelligence or effort—it’s simply about knowing how to help your child remember what they study more effectively.
Understanding how memory works—and how quickly forgetting happens—can make a world of difference. In this post, you’ll discover how to help your child remember what they study using three powerful, science-backed techniques.
Three Proven Memory Techniques (and Why They Work)
1. Spaced Practice: Frequent, Short Reviews
One of the best ways to help your child remember what they study is through spaced practice. Spaced practice means reviewing information briefly but consistently over days or weeks. In a notable study by Cepeda et al. (2008) involving over 1,300 participants, researchers found short, repeated study sessions were up to twice as effective for retention after one week compared to longer cramming sessions.
● Try this at home: Chat briefly about the day’s lessons during dinner or before bedtime each day.
2. Active Recall: Practice Remembering, Not Reviewing
Active recall is another essential technique when considering how to help your child remember what they study. Roediger & Karpicke’s (2006) landmark study showed students practicing active recall performed nearly 50% better on exams than peers who only reread their notes.
● Try this at home: Instead of reviewing notes, ask your child to explain concepts in their own words or casually quiz them during everyday activities like car rides.
3. Interleaving: Rotate Closely Related Topics
Interleaving involves switching between closely related topics within the same subject, rather than repeatedly practicing one type. Research by Taylor & Rohrer (2010) found students who alternated between related math problems—such as algebra, geometry, and word problems—nearly doubled their test scores. Initially, interleaving might feel harder because students have to frequently switch gears—but this extra effort dramatically pays off on exam day.
● Try this at home: During maths study sessions, have your child rotate every 15-20 minutes between algebra, geometry, and word problems. For history, alternate between significant events and notable figures from the same era.
Common Myths Holding Your Child Back—And What Actually Helps
● Myth: Cramming ensures better grades.
Reality: Short, consistent reviews drastically outperform cramming. Try spaced practice instead.
● Myth: Highlighting notes significantly boosts memory.
Reality: Highlighting creates only the illusion of understanding. Active recall is more effective—use quick quizzes or casual questioning.
● Myth: Matching teaching to your child’s “learning style” improves outcomes.
Reality: Multiple peer-reviewed studies consistently show no benefit from this approach. Effective techniques like spaced practice and active recall work universally.
Real Story: How Mia Remembered More and Stressed Less
Mia, a Year 5 student, used to dread quizzes. But once her parents learned how to help their child remember what they study, by applying tips from James An College Eastwood everything changed. By dedicating just five minutes nightly to active recall, Mia shifted from anxiety to excitement about tests. Within two months, she no longer dreaded quizzes; instead, she embraced them as opportunities to showcase her progress. Her grades improved noticeably, jumping from a C+ to a confident B+ average.
Her mother observed, “It was remarkable seeing Mia discover how smart she truly is.”
Real-Life Challenges (and Quick Solutions)
Challenge: My Child Hates Flashcards
Solution: Keep it conversational. Just casually ask them to explain something new each day. (And
yes—even eye-rolling children benefit!)
Challenge: We Already Have Too Much Homework
Solution: Integrate short, frequent memory sessions into your routine. A quick dinner chat or bedtime
recap makes a significant difference.
Challenge: My Child’s Teacher Doesn’t Use These Techniques
Solution: Practising these techniques at home complements classroom learning and gives your child a real advantage.
Real Results at James An College Eastwood
At James An College Eastwood, we’ve seen firsthand how effective these strategies can be, especially in core subjects like math. Our lessons incorporate brief recall exercises daily, our personalised diagnostics pinpoint exact learning gaps, and our curriculum naturally interleaves related topics to mirror real exam conditions. As one parent remarked, “I couldn’t believe how calm my daughter was before her maths exam. She genuinely felt prepared, not overwhelmed.”
Quick Wins: A Weekly Memory Boost Plan for Busy Families
Use this easy weekly schedule to boost your child’s retention:
Day Quick Activity
Small steps lead to big changes in your child’s academic confidence and emotional wellbeing.
Multiplication and Memory: The Hidden Connection
Did you know that learning multiplication facts is one of the best ways to strengthen your child’s working memory? Because multiplication relies heavily on pattern recognition and recall, it builds essential cognitive “muscles” that make it easier for children to retain other types of information too.
If your child struggles to remember what they study, start with multiplication. Our guide on 5 Best Tips to Help Your Child Master Multiplication for more fun ways to build memory skills.
At James An College Eastwood, we’ve seen how powerful it can be when parents know how to help their child remember what they study. Our structured recall activities and integrated curriculum are designed to support long-term memory and deep understanding.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
At James An College Eastwood, we understand the importance of building strong foundational skills early on—especially when it comes to teaching times tables effectively. Our programs are designed to support students through engaging strategies that develop fluency, memory, and confidence.
📘 Explore our tutoring programs:
- 🌱 Primary School Tutoring – Build strong foundations in numeracy, literacy, and problem-solving from an early age.
- 📚 High School Tutoring Programs – Equip your child with essential skills to thrive in Years 7–10.
- 🎓 HSC Preparation Courses – Get tailored academic support during the most important years of schooling.
Whether your child is in Year 1 or preparing for the HSC, our personalised approach ensures they gain the confidence and skills they need to succeed.
👉 Book your free diagnostic assessment & consultation today and give your child the tools to succeed—now and into the future.