In today’s world, learning and mastering knowledge is critical and an efficient memory is necessary to achieve academic success. Often students with memory problems struggle to keep up with classroom curriculum.
Here are a few strategies to help kids succeed:
Reduce memory load. Introduce one strategy at a time and break specific tasks into smaller chunks. When introducing new concepts increase the meaningfulness by providing visual and oral cues. Use examples that students can relate to.
Cues to enhance and retrieve stored . It is easier to retrieve information from long-term memory if it is stored using a cue. Long-term memory is enhanced when students engage in retrieval practice. Acronyms can help students recall information for essays or tests. For example, the acronym HOMES can be used to remember the Great Lakes – Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior.
Utilize multiple formats. Deliver directions and new information in multiple ways; utilize both visual and verbal formats. To enhance memory and ensure that students understand new concepts ask them to repeat and review information.
Use visual images. Learning and recalling unfamiliar words and difficult terms can be challenging for students that have memory problems. Converting unknown words or terms into a visual picture may be helpful. Making connections from the unfamiliar to the familiar will help students become more efficient at comprehending new material and will improve recall for exams.
Active listening and reading. To enhance short-term and working memory encourage students to engage in class lectures by taking notes and underlining important words and facts. Jotting down key concepts in the margin of a book while reading and making study outlines and flashcards will help to consolidate information into long-term memory.
Prime the memory prior to learning. Specific cues can help prepare students for learning certain tasks. This is often referred to priming the memory. For example, prior to reading a chapter from a novel it may be helpful to discuss unfamiliar vocabulary words, the overall topics of the chapter and to review question guides. This will help students understand what they need to learn and what the expectations are for upcoming assignments and exams.
Over-learn material. Students who struggle with short-term and working memory will find greater success in school when they over-learn new material. Encourage them to practice spelling words and review factual concepts more than once. Repetition will help kids transfer information from short-term memory into long-term memory and several error-free repetitions are needed to solidify new information.
About the author
Vikki Carrel
Academic Language Therapist, Multi-book Author, National Speaker
Vikki empowers people! She is an Academic Language Therapist, multi-book author and a national speaker. Vikki grew up in Salt Lake City, met her husband at the University of Utah, and has owned several companies across the United States. In 2010, Vikki and her husband moved back to Utah from Doylestown, Pennsylvania and she founded Vikki Carrel & Company, a speaking and training organization. Read more about the Author
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