Girl with Memory Problems

I just found this site today and am so thankful for it! I have had memory problems since I was born, and this year have just began learning how to use mnemonics, which have helped me retain information.

This site is an encouragement! I will be using it to help me on my memory journey.

Thank you so much!

Why Aren't Memory Skills Taught in Schools?

Doug's Reply. You're welcome, and I know just how you feel.

Growing up I always had trouble memorizing my schoolwork. At least, it seemed other students had an easier time remembering their assignments than I did.

How crazy it is that most schools do not offer classes in memory techniques!

My theory about that is the teachers (or at least the administrators) have naturally good memories, so they can't comprehend that the rest of us don't have perfect memories like they do.

Probably they think we're just "lazy" and don't feel like putting in the effort to study. How wrong they are!

My site is large, over 500 pages, so I hope you can find the information you need. To find your way around, use the Search feature and navigate using the buttons along the top and the left.

I recommend you start on the Get a Better Memory page. What you'll find there is an explanation of the two kinds of

memory you need to work on.

First, there's your Natural memory, and second there's your Trained memory. This division of memory was recognized 2,000 years ago by the ancient Romans and Greeks, so I didn't make that up.

With Natural memory, the idea is to build up the health of your brain. That way you can boost whatever natural memory ability you were born with.

Ways to improve your inborn memory include eating a better diet (including more brain foods), taking vitamins, exercising, getting enough sleep, and playing brain games.

Don't ignore my advice to meditate. Numerous studies indicate that mindfulness meditation rewires your brain, strengthening both memory and attention.

At the same time, boost your Trained memory by using Study Skills and memory systems along with mnemonic tricks.

I encourage you to really try to understand the image-based memory systems, including the substitute word technique, link, peg, and other systems. Most people only use their left brain for remembering (think: rote memorization), but through the image-based systems you can actually use both sides of your brain to double your memory strength!

Best of luck, and if there's anything you need just send me a message through my Contact Me page.

Regards,
Douglas
Memory-Improvement-Tips.com
This is information only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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Dec 04, 2013
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Building Brains
by: Anonymous

Oh how I am so happy to have found this discussion. I teach in an inner city district. Worse, I teach 4th grade math.

I have been doing research on how to improve my students' memory. I WAS NOT the best student, and I completely agree that many times teachers and admin ignore the fact that good brains are built and nurtured.

The biggest obstacle I am facing is that there are so many of my students that are unable to recall information 5 minutes after it is given to them.

Any suggestions??? I refuse to think my students are lazy and I refuse to give them an excuse to be lazy.

Doug's Reply. I hope some educators see this thread and contribute suggestions.

At the most basic level, you might begin with verbal repetition, the simplest memory technique. Ask the students to repeat the information you are presenting out loud a few times.

In pioneer days, textbooks were hard to come by, so teachers used what's known as the "blab school" method of instruction. The teacher would read the text material bit by bit, and the students would literally repeat what they heard her say out loud, all together in unison. Then each student would go to the front of the class and say the material out loud to the class by themselves.

Verbal repetition was Abraham Lincoln's favorite memory technique, which he learned in a blab school growing up. He used it to memorize facts in preparation for political debates, to memorize law, and to memorize his speeches.

Could you perhaps modify the blab school technique for use in your classroom?

For learning basic math facts, I recommend the use of math flash cards. I've posted sets of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division flash cards here on my website that you and your students can print out for free.

Again, I encourage other educators to comment on this thread with even more suggestions.

Douglas J.
Memory-Improvement-Tips.com

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