5 practical tips for exercising your child’s memory

An excellent way to memorize new information is to associate it with a funny story, a song, or a series of actions.

Trying to memorize a list of items by simply reading it over and over may only work temporarily. However, if the information is woven into a colourful story, you have a better chance of remembering it long-term. No need to worry if your child comes up with silly stories. The more unusual the tale, the easier it will be to remember! You can also encourage your child to make up the plot of a movie (e.g., if they need to memorize historical facts).

Memorization is easier when multiple senses are engaged. Sight is just the tip of the iceberg! Using movement can also help— toss a ball up and down or move around a room while working on memorizing something. Adding patterns, symbols, and colour to study notes can also help retain information.

You should also look for opportunities to stimulate your child’s memory outside of homework time. You can, for example, ask them to remind you of the ingredients in a dish you want to make (using their sense of smell), encourage them to visualize a scene from a book you are reading together (using sounds and images), or incorporate memorization into their routine for organizing their school materials (using different textures).

Having conversations with your child that are rich in both subject matter and vocabulary is an effective strategy for improving their memory and academic performance. Kids who are used to having stimulating discussions develop a better awareness of sentence flow, which builds their storytelling skills. This prepares them for the way information is taught in the classroom, and they are able to better absorb and retain what they learn in school as a result.

A mnemonic device is any technique that helps with the process of memorization. Different mnemonic devices work your memory in different ways, but all have the added benefit of making the learning process a little more fun. Here are a few examples:

• Acronyms and acrostics: words or phrases in which each letter or word represents a piece of information. For instance, the following acrostic can be used to remember the order of the planets in the solar system: My Very Excellent Mom Just Served Us Noodles.
• Keywords: common words or phrases that are similar to the concept you need to remember and that you can associate with a mental image. For instance, to remember the meaning of the word botany (the study of plants), you might use the keyword boot and the image of a boot filled with flowers.
• Spelling with pictures: drawings or mental images (link in French) used to remember the correct spelling of a word. For instance, to remember that biscuit is spelled with the letters “cu,” you might picture the word with these two letters forming the shape of a cup of tea (the c being the handle).

Acquired knowledge is transferred from your working memory to your long-term memory through repetition. Practicing until you can repeat a new piece of information once without making a mistake is not enough. To consolidate what you have learned, you need to be able to repeat it multiple times error-free. In addition, asking your child to explain what they learned in class in their own words is a little like a mock exam. This is helpful because in order to feel more confident about writing actual exams and assessments in school, students need to practice and prepare. You can also suggest that your child try our games and exercises!