A simple memory technique involves using an acronym with an associated statement to remember information. For example, math students can remember the order of operations using the acrostic, PEMDAS, or Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally. This acronym stands for the order in which you solve a mathematics statement, or parentheses, exponents, multiplication, division, addition and subtraction. The key to successfully using an acrostic is creating an acronym you will remember with funny words or another combination of words that matches your interests. Each letter and its corresponding word in an acrostic are cues to your memory for the right idea or word.
Continuing with the acronym pattern, a mnemonics device helps you remember words or concepts in a list, system or method. For example, ROYGBIV is a common acronym for the colors of the spectrum. This acronym means red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet are visible colors. Just like with mnemonics, it is important to relate the acronym to your own experiences.
You can also encourage kids to use their visual memory to recall information. If you ever played the game Memory (by Hasbro), you might remember the object of the game is to match images located on playing cards. Players place cards face down on the table. They match images on cards by remembering where they are located. Recreate this game using free downloadable software. Be sure to scan free software downloads for viruses before running them on your computer. Kids can play memory on the computer. Using your computer, paste keyword phrases or images on the computerized cards in a memory card template. When kids play the game on the computer, they look at words or images on the cards multiple times, just like when they memorize information using flashcards. Repetition is important for this game to work.