5 ways to make memories that will last a lifetime

As a parent or caregiver, we recognize that spending time with our kids and creating memories with them is important to their development. But how can we make sure that our kids are capturing their memories and making the most of these special moments?

Whether it’s a summer vacation experience or a uniquely special day at home, reinforcing memories, especially ones we share with our kids, is crucial for building connection.

When we take time to have shared experiences with our kids, we show them that we enjoy spending time with them, and we are building a positive connection that we can reference for years to come.

Here are five creative ways to make memories with your children that last:

■ Celebrate: Finding small ways to celebrate a moment can help to reinforce the memory. It can be as small as eating a bowl of ice cream to celebrate the end of a sports season, keeping a small souvenir from a trip, or a candle in your mashed potatoes to celebrate the end of the school year.

■ Talk about the memory: Take some time on a random day to bring up some fun times that you’ve had together. You can start the conversation with a simple, “Remember when we…” or “That was so much fun when we…” This helps the child remember the moment and shows them that you think about positive memories and cherish spending time with them.

■ Create a “memory keeper”: Try to make a scrapbook page, photo album or journal about the experience. You can turn this into a family activity and get everyone involved in sharing their memories. Every so often, take some time to look back at your memory keeper and remember the positive memories.

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Find books that relate to the memory you are going to make. Find books about going on vacation, experiencing a snowstorm, or

Read books related to the experience:

starting a new activity or sport. These can be non-fiction or fiction books and you should find a book that best fits your child’s reading level. This is helpful because reading books strengthens the parent/child bond, increases interaction, and reinforces the experience by learning what to expect and creates expectations that can enhance the experience.

■ Find excitement in the little things: Build up the memory by taking time to focus on every aspect of the little moments. When your kid jumps for joy at the sight of an airplane up in the sky, keep the excitement going. Ask them where they think the airplane might be going, who might be on it, and what it might feel like to fly like an airplane. This can encourage your children to open up and share their positive memories with you.

Dayton Children’s Hospital is dedicated to the relentless pursuit of optimal health for every child within our reach. To connect with Dayton Children’s, go online to www.childrensdayton.org.