Do you remember the good old days of playing Memory Match (also known as Concentration)? Flipping over two cards and hoping for a match? If you’re thinking back to these times and remembering how you were a Memory Match champion, it was likely due to having a strong visual memory. Memory Match is a great visual memory activity for older kids. But did you know, we can start exercising visual memory as young as 18 months old? This game is called, “What’s Missing?” and it is a great visual memory activity. This game can be played virtually anywhere. I play this game with my little whenever we are stuck in a line, waiting at a restaurant, sitting on a plane, or waiting at a doctor’s office. This game is a lifesaver for us! And more importantly your kids are developing an important skill.
Understanding the “Visual Memory” part of “Visual Memory Activity”
The skill area of “visual memory” falls under the umbrella term of “visual perception.” Visual perception is the ability for our brain to understand what our eyes see. Visual memory is one of several skills that makes up visual perception. Recalling visual information that has been seen is visual memory.
Children and adults with strong visual memory are able to:
- Remember common words that often don’t follow phonics rules such as the, they, what, are (these are often referred to as sight words).
- Recognize symbols such as letters, numbers, math signs
- Copy items from a rough draft to a final draft and copy from a presentation or a textbook
- Describe items in detail
- Spell easier
Materials for “What’s Missing?”
- A cover (ex: scarf, napkin, towel, etc.)
- 3-5 items that your child can name (Ex: spatula, fork, spoon, car, truck, bus, whale, polar bear, penguin)
- Optional: Work mat
- Optional: Tray
How to Play “What’s Missing?”
- Step 1: Place items on the work mat or surface one by one, naming each item as you set them down.
- Step 2: Cover items with the scarf/napkin/towel.
- Step 3: Tell your child to close their eyes.
- Step 4: Take one item and hide it behind your back.
- Step 5: Tell your child to open their eyes.
- Step 6: Uncover the remaining items.
- Step 7: Ask, “What’s missing?’
- Step 8: After the child answers, reveal the item without saying anything. This allows your child to self-reflect on their answer with the correct answer and allows you to not worry about applying a value statement such as “good job” or “almost.”
- Step 9: Say, “Want to play again?”
- Optional: Keep the items on a tray on their play shelf so the child has easy access to it.
Extensions to “What’s Missing?”
This game is great to start around 2 years old, but if your child is ready, you can start younger. You can also make it more challenging as you see fit. Some ways to make it more challenging include:
- Rearranging items when your child’s eyes are closed
- Starting with more items
- Have more than one missing item
- Older children can play what’s missing with a younger child or a child of the same age
Benefits of This Visual Memory Activity
“What’s Missing” helps to:
- Reinforce the names of the objects
- Develop visual memory
- Develop concentration
- Develop prereading and prewriting skills
Visual Memory Activity Resources
Memory Matching Game Recommendations:
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying links. The memory match game links below are affiliate links to Amazon.
- Movement Memory Game: Seek a Boo Game for 18 months+
- Wood Memory Game: Tender Leaf Matching Game 18 months+
- EeBoo has several beautiful memory matching games. In particular, this one is a recipient of the Oppenheim Gold Best Toy Award: I Never Forget a Face Memory Matching Game for 3 years+
For older kids, these Visual Memory Workbooks and Worksheets may be helpful.
Final Thoughts
With the boom in technology, I’ve found we have moved away from the simple games of the past to bust boredom without realizing how much we are losing. Hidden picture games, I Spy books, and simple games like “What’s Missing?” ARE what’s missing (excuse the word play) from our waiting rooms, restaurant tables, and car rides. Ipads, phones, and laptops to teach letters and numbers have replaced these types of puzzles and games. But what many don’t realize is that we NEED more. We need these brain teasers and challenges that develop our visual perception and stretch our way of thinking. So next time you have the urge to reach for your phone while waiting, I encourage you to bring back a game of yesteryear or come up with a new game. What do you do to beat the waiting game?