M is for Memory Aids: Building Skills How Tos.

 🐘  Some people have excellent memories and can recall words spoken, actions taken and gifts given years later.  Others forget what they are doing in the middle of doing it!  There are pros and cons to both types of memories but if you are hoping to improve yours, there are ways to help build up this skill, some of which are outlined here.

Association: There are a lot of well known methods to help you with your memory.  Try making a connection between two items to help you remember.  For example: Benjamin has Blue Eyes -B E are the first two letters of the name BEnjamin so next time you see those blue eyes you are now more likely to recall his name begins with BE. Connecting what you did when you sprained your ankle to the steps being taught to you in your first aid class is another way to personalize and memorize new information as it is associated with the memory of another life experience. The more unusual or funny the connection is, the better!

Mnemonics:  Another method is to use mnemonics.  In music we say All Cows Eat Grass to remember that the spaces in the bass clef are the A, C, E and G notes. FAST stands for the four key signs to recognize a stroke and respond fast to get the person help.  Creating these tools is especially useful when you have some but not all of the information you need.  If you recall Facial drooping, Speech difficulties and Time, the mnemonic will tell you the missing word starts with A.  a...a...a...arm weakness! Got it!

Whole body Integration: Read aloud and write out what you want to remember also helps.  Drawing a picture of the item or the word in fancy letters or acting out the scene does too.  You are now accessing multiple areas of your brain as you read, write, speak, listen and act which helps your brain focus on the subject and commit it to memory.  Some people recall facts as they skip or do sit ups or clap their hands and find that helpful.  Others find singing the words and hearing the information set to music aids in their recall.

Practice or repetition: This also makes a difference.  Do you know the steps to set up your child's online class or the pattern of movements to complete for karate class?  Maybe not after the first attempt but you will master it if you keep repeating the same action until it becomes automatic.  Ta-dah!  You committed it to memory! Well done!

Environment:  Setting up a quiet space for learning and removing external distractions helps most people. For some, having music playing can block out other sounds and actually serves to help with focus.  Having all supplies on hand so you can stay in one space is beneficial.

Structure:  Organizing your notes with a method in mind also helps.  For example, know the broad order of the events before working on the details of each occurrence.   List all the relevant vocabulary and concepts as a whole under a heading before moving on so you have a go-to resource for that topic and your mind can link all the information together more easily for that subject.  

Visualization:  Some people remember patterns more easily as they are visual learners.  They would benefit from colour coding, graphic organizers and the use of pictures.  Some need the information broken up into bite size chunks so flashcards work well for them.  Find the technique that works for you. Use visual aids.  What are the steps to correct handwashing?  What order do you put on your outdoor clothing?  How do you tie your shoes? Having picture cues takes the stress off of remembering and let's the child focus on the doing of the steps.  With time, they need the external cues less often as they internalize and memorize the information for regular use.

Make It Fun!  Learning should be enjoyable. Yes, it takes time and commitment but it can be fun too.  Practice memory skills with some of the following games and activities that are simply done any time, any place.  

*Play telephone.Repeat what you hear whether it is one word at a time, phrases, or by chaining the words together which is when you say "Apple" then I say "Apple, Banana".  You go on to say "Apple, Banana, Canteloupe" etc.

*Another is to look at something then turn away and try to recall all the details.  For example, look at a park scene then close your eyes. Was the sky blue? Did it have clouds?  Was there a park bench? How many people were there? Was there a sandbox?  A stroller? Anyone wearing green?  Open your eyes and check.

*You can also put items on a tray, look at them for ten to thirty seconds, then cover it over and name the items.  Which ones did you forget?

*Play memory games with matching cards 

*Read a book and try to retell the story.  When you are practicing this skill you can help with images and they put the pictures in order.  Another way teachers check on this is with questions where you have to put the events in the correct order so practicing with this method is another memory building activity.

*Work with a partner and trade information back and forth and drill each other.  It can be informal or set up like a quiz.  See what you know and what you still have to learn.

*Make it active. Take breaks for physical activity or bounce on a ball or skip as you learn.

Please note:  Some children remember a lot of information but have difficulty with getting it out when they need to.  It could be a toddler who knows the answer but hasn't mastered the words yet. They may be able to show you to the cupboard where the toy they want is located but not be able to say "I want the Mr. Potato Heads please."  Older children may know it but either have trouble accessing the answer in their brain quickly as it is new information they are still processing or they may have anxiety about being asked to give a response and their fear freezes heir ability to answer in that moment.  Be patient.  Use approaches to helping each child that are specific to the needs of that child.  There is no blanket response but there are strategies to help everyone improve in their ability!