Why Memory Grid works

Remember the locations of symbols in a small grid and replace them after the grid is briefly hidden. Study which cells contain symbols. Cover the grid.

Set up — Study which cells contain symbols

No special materials are needed before the child is asked to study which cells contain symbols. The setup is ready when the child can study which cells contain symbols and then move on to the instruction to cover the grid without a new explanation. Use age-appropriate pieces and avoid small loose parts for children who may mouth objects while those two steps are connected.

Step 2 — Cover the grid

One careful attempt to cover the grid is enough at this stage. Before the child tries to remove the symbols while keeping the grid visible or recreate the empty grid, ask them to show or describe what differed from when they had to study which cells contain symbols.

Step 3 — Remove the symbols while keeping the grid visible or recreate the empty…

Use the result of asking the child to remove the symbols while keeping the grid visible or recreate the empty grid as a clue for the next decision. Do not move on to place the symbols back in their remembered cells until this step has a clear purpose.

Step 4 — Place the symbols back in their remembered cells

Ask the child to place the symbols back in their remembered cells. Compare what happens with the earlier step to remove the symbols while keeping the grid visible or recreate the empty grid, then continue by asking them to reveal the reference and compare positions once the difference is clear.

Step 5 — Reveal the reference and compare positions

Let the child reveal the reference and compare positions and treat the result as information rather than simple repetition. If it is unclear, repeat that action before asking them to reveal the reference and compare positions.

What to notice before Reveal the reference and compare positions

After the child has tried to place the symbols back in their remembered cells, ask what changed. An answer connected to the earlier attempt to remove the symbols while keeping the grid visible or recreate the empty grid is good evidence of which clue, position, or relationship supports the answer before the final step.

Make Remove the symbols while keeping the grid… easier or harder

If asking the child to remove the symbols while keeping the grid visible or recreate the empty grid is too demanding, use fewer items and make the relevant difference more obvious. Once that step is comfortable, add one plausible distractor, remove one cue, or ask the child to explain the rule before returning to the final request to reveal the reference and compare positions.

Finish after Reveal the reference and compare positions

Reveal the reference and compare positions. If the child can explain what happened, the activity has reached a complete ending. Find the next activity in the activity search, or make a new one with the activity generator.