Remember This: Helping Students Improve Their Memory

Do you remember what you had for dinner last night? How about two Sundays ago? Do you remember where you were when your spouse proposed to you? Could you recall where you were when your accountant called to ask a routine question?

Unless you have a photographic memory for food or just really, really love your accountant, you probably don’t recall exactly what you had for dinner two Sundays ago or where you stood when you last spoke to your accountant. However, chances are good that you know what you had for dinner last night and that you could name the exact day, time, and place your spouse proposed. That’s because we remember things that happened recently, and we remember things that had a major impact on our lives. Making memories is a very important part of the human thought process, and it’s a very important part of learning.

While some people might contend that certain individuals are just born with good memories — and while that’s true to some extent — it’s also true that powerful memories can be created. During your tutoring sessions, work with your child to improve her memory skills. A good memory is an incredibly valuable tool in virtually all academic areas, and it’s also integral to strong social skills (e.g., remembering names and faces, and remembering important things about people).

There are many simple, fun ways to incorporate memory-enhancing activities into everyday tutoring sessions. One effective, and often amusing, way to practice memory skills, particularly with a younger child, is to “change character.” You can enter the room wearing a certain shirt and certain pair of glasses, with your hair parted a certain way and a ring on a certain finger. Then, leave the room and change things around. Ask your child if he can identify all of the things that are different between the “before” you and the “after” you. The classic game of Memory (available on Amazon, at many toy retailers, and also in Internet versions) is also a wonderful, time-tested tool for memory improvement.

Regardless of how you choose to teach your child memory-improving skills, you will be helping her get ahead both in school and in life. And, who knows, your own memory might benefit in the process!

If you need to find a tutor for your child, compare solutions and decide which is best for your family.