Telling your children about childhood memories builds their mental health

The family memories, so far told simply for fun, could actually have positive effects on toddlers. The parents talking about their childhood participate, often without premeditating it, in favoring the future mental well-being of their offspring.

Sharing your memories with your children: benefits for their well-being

Show photo albums and tell his memories to his children creates lasting well-being. This is the finding of a study conducted by researchers from the University of Otago, New Zealand. To reach these conclusions, the researchers studied 115 mothers of children aged one to three years.

These were divided into two groups. The former was encouraged to use the method of ” reminiscing intervention ” for one year. This practice consists of tell his childhood memories to his children, embellishing the story with details and photos when possible. The goal is to encourage interaction. The second group, meanwhile, served as a point of comparison since nothing has changed in their daily lives.

You are #parent ? A psychology researcher invites you to help your #child(s) to develop the five qualities that will make them truly human. Here they are. https://t.co/cZPfOLdpmQ

— Psychologies (@Psychologies_) October 20, 2020

Two decades later, when the children became young adults, the researchers drew conclusions which were published in the Journal of Research in Personality, in August 2022. They then found that the children who had listened to their parents’ memories were less prone to mental health problems. They also had fewer symptoms related to depression.

Young adults more armed with daily life

According to the authors of the study, once adults, the children from the first group held more coherent speeches about their life and their journey. They were also more able to put precise words on the events who impressed them the most. Their self-esteem is also higher than in those who have not been exposed to memories of their mothers.

This study helps to understand the importance of interactions between children and their parents. Elaine Resse, one of the authors of the research, explains in a press release that: “This study is the first of its kind and makes it possible to set up new interventions at home and at school with parents and teachers of young children”.