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What is memory?
What is memory?
Memory is the process by which our brain stores, retains, and later retrieves information. It's like the brain's filing system, where we keep everything we learn, experience, and feel. Memory helps us remember things like our names, how to tie our shoes, or what we learned in school. Memory is essential for learning and functioning every day. When children struggle with memory, they might find it hard to remember instructions, recall what they learned in school, or keep track of their belongings.
What are some different types of memory?
What are some different types of memory?
Our brains store information in different ways, like a big library with many sections. Here are some of those sections:
Short Term Memory: Sometimes we need to remember information for a brief period of time, like remembering a phone number long enough to dial it. However, unless we actively try to retain the phone number in memory, we will likely forget it. It's like quickly writing down a note on a scrap of paper that may get thrown out later.
Working Memory: This is the brain's "scratchpad." It helps us hold and manipulate information in our minds for a short period while we work on something, like solving a math problem or following a recipe.
Long-term memory: This is where we store information for a long time, sometimes for our entire lives. It’s liMemory is essential for learning and functioning every day. When children struggle with memory, they might find it hard to remember instructions, recall what they learned in school, or keep track of their belongings. ke a huge library where everything we’ve learned or experienced is kept. This includes facts, experiences, skills, and even emotions.
Retrieval: When you need to remember something, your brain has to find it. It's like looking for a book in the library. Sometimes you can remember all by yourself (recall), and sometimes you need a hint to recognize the right information.
Understanding these different types of memory can help us support children who struggle with remembering things.
How can we help develop memory skills?
How can we help develop memory skills?
Children and adolescents have many memory demands placed on them each day as they are taught many new ideas and skills. Here are some research-backed tips to help students boost their memory skills:
Develop executive functioning skills:
Research shows that exercise, mindfulness, and other programs that help develop executive functioning skills overall, are often also beneficial in improving working memory.
More information can be found on the executive functioning page.
Play games:
Memory games can be fun and effective ways to improve memory capacity in children.
Matching pairs (Concentration) involves flipping over cards to find pairs of matching images.
"Simon Says" is a game where you only follow instructions if they start with "Simon Says."
The N-back task is a game where you have to remember a list of items, like numbers or pictures. As you go through the list, you need to recognize when an item from a certain spot in the list comes up again. For example, if you’re doing a 2-back task, you have to remember the item that was two positions before the current one.
The Memory Palace (Method of Loci) is a technique where you imagine a familiar place, like your house, and "place" the things you want to remember in different spots in that place. Later, you can "walk through" your mental image to recall the information.
Sleep:
Adequate and high-quality sleep is critical for memory consolidation and cognitive function in children.
Studying before bedtime helps consolidate memory.
Sleep guidelines can be found here.
Use strategies for encoding and consolidating:
Use strategies for encoding and consolidating:
Encoding is a crucial stage in the memory process where information is changed into a format that can be stored and later retrieved. Some strategies include:
Chunking - Break information into smaller, manageable pieces to more easily remember them. Organize and group related material together (e.g., vocabulary words by their type such as nouns, verbs, history facts by periods or events. foreign language words into categories such as food items. If there’s no clear pattern, group information into chunks of 3 to 5 items.
Visualization - Teach children to create mental pictures of information they need to remember. For example, when memorizing a spelling word, have them imagine the letters written in bright colors or formed by objects.
Word swap - Teach children to swap hard words with an easier word that sounds similar and make a funny picture in their mind using the easier word. They would use that picture to remember what the hard word means. For example, to remember the word "photosynthesis," children could imagine a plant in a photo studio, posing for a camera while eating a sandwich made of sunlight. This silly picture helps children remember that photosynthesis is about plants, light, and making food.
Elaborative rehearsal - Help children think about how new information fits into concepts they already know because it makes it more meaningful and easier to remember.
Mnemonics - Use acronyms, rhymes, and method of loci (memory palaces) (e.g., use "HOMES" to remember the Great Lakes Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior).
"Over-learning" - Teach and encourage students to practice and review information to go beyond simple memorization. Have them review material multiple times and using different methods like repeatedly writing things down or saying them out loud.
Spaced repetition - Review material at regular intervals. When first learning material, the intervals are spaced closely together (for example, one hour; four hours; one day). As the material is reviewed, the intervals become longer.
Learn information in different ways - Where possible, engage different senses in the learning process. Let kids touch materials or practice movements related to the task. Be active while studying (e.g., stand up, gesture, draw). Use visual aids like lists and graphic organizers, and talk about what's been learned.
Additional tips:
Additional tips:
Taking short, frequent study breaks (30-60 minutes of study followed by a 10-minute break) can be helpful.
Study in different places to improve recall.
How can we tell when someone is struggling with memory?
How can we tell when someone is struggling with memory?
Some common signs that someone may be struggling with memory issues are:
Trouble recalling things they've just learned or heard. Following complicated instructions with many steps can be especially challenging. They may find it hard to keep up with long conversations or discussions.
Difficulty remembering things over longer periods. Some children find it challenging to keep information in their mind for days or weeks. They might have trouble recalling information without hints or reminders.
Trouble remembering academic information. Some children have more difficulty holding new school concepts in their minds, like sight words, how to spell, or keep ideas in mind while writing. Some also have difficulty with math, especially remembering number facts and steps for solving problems.
Asking for instructions to be repeated. After being told what to do, some children might look confused or unsure about what they're supposed to do next.
How can we support students with memory difficulties?
How can we support students with memory difficulties?
To help children with memory difficulties, try these strategies:
Ensure understanding before memorizing:
Ensure understanding before memorizing:
Check understanding by asking children to repeat the information in their own words.
Relate new information to what they already know.
Use maps or visual aids to help understand the context (e.g., geography or history).
Having them teach things to someone else can strengthen their own understanding.
Keep verbal instructions brief and simple:
Give only a few directions at a time, repeating as needed.
Limit the amount of new information presented in each lesson.
Accompany verbal instructions with visuals when possible.
Break it down:
For big projects, break them into smaller parts. This helps students remember what to do for each step and reduces the chance that they might feel overwhelmed.
Use tools:
Show students how to use lists, planners, and organizers to help them remember information.
For math, allow calculator use when the focus isn't on calculation skills.
Use recognition versus recall:
When students struggle to recall information, ask them multiple choice questions as it is often easier to recognize information rather than remember it from scratch.
Use a schedule:
When students can see and refer to a schedule, it helps to reduce the load on their memory and leave space for learning new things.
Post a schedule where it's easy to see for all students.
Create routines:
Having a regular routine helps with consistency and allows students to rely less on their memory when it becomes a habit.
Resources
Memory.pdfMemory Handout
For more information, please see:
Understanding Working Memory and LDs
References:
References:
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