Recalling Past Events

“I Remember When . . . ”

• Provide your child with meaningful, communicative opportunities.  The best materials are those that are interesting to your child.  Some of his favorite activities may include taking walks, arts and crafts, cooking, interactive games such as “Peek-a-boo,” “Hide and Seek,” watching television, or physical play. 
• These activities can be represented with sentences and simple drawings.  Parents can draw pictures and write 1 or 2 sentences about something that happened during your child’s daily routines (e.g., ate pancakes for breakfast; went to McDonald’s; watched television).
• Have your child color portions of the pictures and add details to it.  Ask him to retell the events that happened throughout the day. 
• Increase the time between each event.  This will also increase the difficulty of recalling that particular activity. 
• Watch a favorite television show with your child.  Ask questions about each scene and have him retell the portion of the story between commercials.  At the end of the show have your child try to recall the story.
• Similar activities can be used while reading books.  Ask your child questions, from one page to the next, after a few pages, or once you have finished the entire story.  You can prompt his responses by asking simple questions, and giving hints.