Building Memories

What do you remember about your childhood or adolescence? The big trip? Always getting to lick the beaters when Mom made a cake? The warmest memories are often about small things shared over and over again. What's in your kitchen? Jello or instant pudding? What's out your window?

Spring is a great time to get out into nature to watch it grow and change. Take a toddler or a preschooler for a walk to find ants. Go out after a rain to look for worms or to count the number of kinds of worms. Collect tadpoles and watch them transform. Get a map of your local park's bike and hike trails and hike your way into spring. Older children and teens might enjoy a night hike led by a park ranger.

Great memories are low cost and fit into every budget. Building memories takes a little imagination with some time and sharing. Keep in mind that time is structured by the child's attention span.

Barbara A. Buchanan, Ph.D.
Staff Psychologist