Memory is a very important component related to learning. By definition, it is the process of storing or encoding information we have acquired through learning. Before moving forward, let’s take note of the difference between learning and memory. Learning is the acquisition of knowledge or information whereas memory is the storing of the information you have acquired. Memory is vital in our everyday lives. It allows us to practice knowledge and life skills that we have learnt in order to perform our day-to-day activities efficiently. Thus, having a good memory is important.
A good memory is crucial especially for children who are of school-going age. The demand placed on children in terms of memorising things is much higher than the demand placed on adults because children are at an age whereby, they are constantly learning new things from their environment. They are constantly being bombarded with information about different topics for almost every day of the week (Thorne, 2006). However, there are some children, particularly those who have learning difficulties, who struggle to remember things. They have trouble retaining information efficiently, especially if they are not interested about the topic, thus affecting their success in academic achievements.
Below are a few listed tips that you can practice in order to help children with learning difficulties to develop and improve their memory:
- Getting enough sleep
Sleep is an important key to learning and memory, and not having enough sleep every night does a lot of damage to our brains. Research has shown that sleep is necessary for memory consolidation, with the key memory-enhancing activity occurring during the deepest stages of sleep (Smith & Robinson, 2018). As such, try to ensure that your child gets 9 to 11 hours of uninterrupted sleep daily and be sure to follow a regular sleeping and waking time schedule for your child.
- Engage in physical activities
Aerobics and cardiovascular exercises are also good for the brain. It helps to produce more oxygen that keeps the brain healthy and helps prevent memory loss. Engaging in physical activities that requires hand-eye coordination or complex motor skills have shown to be particularly beneficial for brain building (Smith & Robinson, 2018).
Adding physical activities to aid memorization is also a tip. For some people, they memorise their notes better when they re-type or re-write it out. This method of memorising is called kinesthetics learning in which students learn more efficiently when they are engaged in some form of physical activities (Hoover, 2009).
- Review before going to bed
For children who are of school-going age, reviewing notes before going to bed is one of the best strategies for memorising. Any information you have studied are best remembered when you review them before sleeping. But be sure that the review is done as the absolute last thing before bed as any other task that is performed after reviewing and prior to sleeping (such as getting a snack, brushing teeth, listening to music) will interfere with the consolidation of information in memory (Thorne, 2006).
- Brain-boosting diet
True to the saying “you are what you eat”, everything that we eat does make a difference to our body. Thus, having a healthy and nutritious diet is important. In order to boost your memory, foods that are rich in Omega 3 acids are highly recommended (Smith & Robinson, 2018). Omege-3 acid can be found in fatty seafoods like mackerel, trout and salmon. It can also be found in walnuts and soybeans. Green tea and fruits are also rich in antioxidants that help protect the brain from damages.
- Substitute technical words with visual cues
When memorizing, children might encounter difficult words and concepts. Another technique that might help is by using visual cues. You can substitute technical words and concepts with visual cues so it can be easily remembered (Hoover, 2009). Young children tend to be more of a visual learner. For example, if you want to teach your child the meaning of the words ‘clean’ and ‘dirty’, it is easier to show them pictures of clean and dirty objects rather than explaining the meaning of clean and dirty, expecting them to remember the long string of words and being able to identify clean and dirty objects from the meaning you have provided.
- Read aloud
The more you read verbally, the more the idea stays in your memory. Rehearsing your speech verbally helps you to remember your speech better (Hoover, 2009). It allows for higher chances of memory recall.
- Be an active reader
Reading stimulates our memory. Being an active reader helps us improve our memory. Teach your child to pay more attention to the meaning of the words when reading. Students remember and retain stories better when they underline, highlight or jot down keywords about the material (Thorne, 2006).
- Practice and repeat
The best way to learn and memorise things is through consistent practice. Constantly doing practise and revision allows you child to apply what they have learned. You can do it repeatedly until they have understood the entire concept. One of the golden rules of learning and memory is constant repetition. The brain also responds better to novelty, so repeating something in a different way or at a different time will make the memory more vivid and allow you to build stronger memories about the new thing (Smith & Robinson, 2018).
There are many other tips regarding memory improvement available on the Internet. But do not blindly follow all the tips suggested as some tips may be effective for your child but some may not. One important thing to consider is what kind of a learning style (auditory, visual, reading/writing, kinesthetics) does your child respond best so you will be able to pick out the most appropriate teaching strategies to help your child. And of course, when in doubt, always make sure to consult professionals.
Bibliography
Thorne, G. (2006, May 1). 10 Strategies to Enhance Students’ Memory. Retrieved December 10, 2018, from https://www.cdl.org/articles/10-strategies-to-enhance-students-memory/
Smith, M., & Robinson, L. (2018, September). How to Improve Your Memory. Retrieved December 2018, from www.helpguide.org: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/how-to-improve-your-memory.htm?pdf=true
Hoover, A. (2009). Memory Tips for Students. Retrieved December 2018, from LD Online: http://www.ldonline.org/article/5894/