Child Forgets Instructions Quickly? Try the Forgetful Helper Game

By Nurche Team · 17 August 2026

“Put the cup on the shelf… and then bring me the red book.”

Your child hears the instruction and gets moving.

But halfway through, they forget the second part.

Sound familiar?

It’s easy to think, “My child just wasn’t listening.” But remembering a two-step instruction is actually a small workout for the brain. Your child has to listen, hold the information in memory, remember the order, and complete the task.

That’s exactly what makes this simple game so useful.

Meet the Forgetful Helper

In this game, you become the one who “forgets.”

Instead of constantly testing your child’s memory, you give them a chance to use their memory to help you.

And children often find that much more fun.

Here’s how to play

Start with a simple two-part instruction.

Say:

“Put the cup on the shelf and then bring me the red book.”

...

Use objects and places your child already knows. Keep the instruction short and clear.

Let your child complete it without stepping in.

Then switch roles.

Now your child becomes the helper and gives you a two-part instruction.

For example:

“Put the stone on the windowsill and then knock twice on the table.”

Follow the first instruction correctly.

Then suddenly stop.

Look around as if you genuinely forgot what came next.

Say:

“What was I supposed to do next?”

And wait.

Let your child remember the instruction and correct you.

When they do, follow their direction and simply say:

“You’re right. I forgot.”

No big praise. No quiz. Just keep the game going.

Make the Forgetting More Interesting

Once your child understands the game, change what you forget.

The first time, forget the second step.

The next time, forget the first step.

For example, if your child says:

“Put the toy in the basket and then touch the door.”

You might touch the door first and then stop.

Your child now has to notice what went wrong and tell you what you missed.

At the end, ask:

“Which part did I forget—the first thing or the second?”

Now your child isn't simply repeating the instruction. They're thinking about the order of the instruction too.

What Is Your Child Actually Practising?

This tiny game works on several skills at once.

🧠 Memory

Your child has to hold two pieces of information in mind long enough to use them.

👂 Listening

They need to pay attention to the whole instruction, not just the first thing they hear.

🗣️ Verbal Expression

When you “forget,” your child has to explain what you should do next.

🔢 Sequencing

Your child begins noticing that what comes first and what comes next matters.

Why Let Your Child Correct You?

There is something powerful about reversing the roles.

When you give your child an instruction, they are following.

When your child gives you the instruction, they become responsible for remembering it.

And when you pretend to forget, they have to retrieve that information from memory and communicate it back to you.

That little moment of:

“No! First you have to…”

is the brain doing real work.

...

Keep It Playful, Not Perfect

The goal isn't to see how many instructions your child can remember.

The goal is to create a playful situation where remembering, listening and speaking happen naturally.

Start with two simple steps.

Use familiar objects.

Make your pretend mistakes believable enough to be funny.

And most importantly, don't turn the game into a test.

If your child forgets, simply make the instruction easier and try again.

Because sometimes the best memory practice doesn't look like practice at all.

It looks like Mom or Dad suddenly forgetting what they were supposed to do.

Try It Today

Give your child one two-step instruction.

Then hand over the “parent” role.

Let them instruct you.

Forget one step.

And watch what happens when your child becomes the one saying:

“No, you forgot!”

That little correction might be doing more for their memory, listening and communication skills than you realise.

Nurche Tiny Insight: Children don't only strengthen memory by being asked to remember. They also strengthen it when they have a reason to retrieve and use what they heard.