Pre-School and Kindergarten Memory Game Tests Powers of Observation

Ask each child in the class to bring one small item to school for Memory Day, such as a yoyo or small toy, a wrapped piece of candy or carrot stick, a hair scrunchie, a thimble, a spool of thread, an eraser. For those who forget, or who bring something unsuitable, have some extra items on hand. Be sure the items are not monochromatic but preferably, each in a different color.

Display all the memory items the children have brought, and add some of your own if needed.

To play "What's Missing?" choose a few items and hide the others for later. Choose one pre-schooler or kindergartner to come up and count the items, then close eyes or be blindfolded while you take one item away. Next have her open her eyes and tell the class what is missing. If she is right, she can have a shiny badge or an award. If she doesn't know, have the other children help her by calling out the missing item.

Choose different items for the next round of the memory game.

Again, display the items. Have a different child come up to count and study them carefully. He can then be blindfolded or close his eyes while you take an item away. Next, he can open his eyes and try to figure out what's missing.

Memory game for home schooling, or one child.

Nick, a pre-schooler who just turned five, has discovered an area in which he excels: Memory and observation. When I showed him a red and white candle, a green toy car, a black barrette, a penny, and a wrapped piece of candy, I had him count the items. Five was his correct answer. Next I placed a napkin over the items and asked him to close his eyes and turn and face the other way while I snuck one item out of the group. I told him to turn back around, remove the napkin and tell me what was missing. He looked carefully, then gave the correct answer. I put the item back, and then we played again. This time I removed a different item. As many times as we played, he gave the right answer, describing the missing item by color and description.

The "What's Missing?" memory game teaches kids to notice and observe, while having fun!

Source:
Personal Experience
Family Education: Cognitive Development