On YouTube one day and I came across a man named Jim Kwik who is a memory and learning coach. I watched a 22-minute interview of him sharing 10 steps to improve your memory. At the end, the interviewer was able to remember the 10 steps he discussed through the power of associating information with pictures and a story (also called Chain Linking). I was familiar with this technique because I used it to teach my son how letters and numbers were formed and how to write.
Jim uses this technique to remember people’s names, speeches, and lists. He also emphasizes thinking and learning like kids because they are the fastest learners. I truly agree with him.
He encouraged his audience to practice the association story technique with another person. I decided to practice with my four-year-old son. He loved every minute of it and said “This is fun!” Below I will tell you how we did it.
Let’s Get Started!

Get 10 Fun Elements Needed to Make Facts Stick by Completing the Form at the End of This Blog Post
- I gave my son nine colors to remember in order. The colors were…
- Green
- Orange
- Purple
- Blue
- White
- Black
- Pink
- Brown
- Yellow
- I started by telling my son a story that included the colors.
- The story went like this…
Mommy and Cory went out to play in the green grass. All of a sudden, they saw a huge orange and beside it was a purple eggplant. Both of these foods together looked like the number ten. Then we looked in the sky and saw a Blue Jay bird flying in the sky. The Blue Jay landed on a large white flower and beside it came a black fly. Then we heard a pink pig running and he happened to be hungry. The pig found and then ate a brown chocolate bar. Afterwards he became thirsty and drank yellow lemonade.
- After I told my son this story I asked him to tell me the colors in order.
- I encouraged him to use the story to remember the colors.
- He was able to name all the colors in order.
- He also remembered the colors in reverse order by telling the story backwards.
- We were amazed at his ability.
- Please note: He is using crayons as a visual for the video; however, he was able to remember the colors without the crayons.
Watch this video of my son remembering the colors…
Watch this video of my son remembering the words backwards.
This technique will also improve your child’s listening skills and focus.
I encourage you to try this activity while you are in waiting rooms, restaurants or even long road trips. My son and I did it during dinner time and had a great time.
Also, use this game to help your child remember important facts for school. Help your child make up a silly story with the facts as characters or items in the setting. This method works great when your child is learning…
- The Alphabet
- Numbers
- Planets
- The United States
- The Presidents of the United States
- Elements on the Periodic Table
- Mathematical Sequences
- Formulas
- Any facts your child needs to learn
Here are pointers for your story…
- The sillier the story the better.
- Ensure to use rich images while telling your story.
- If your child can’t think of pictures for a certain word then have them use the “Sound Like” method.
- Instead of saying the state, Alabama, use the phrase “Ala Bams on the A.” This will trigger the mind to think of Alabama.
- Instead of saying the element (on the periodic table), Actinium, use the phrase Acting Up. This will help trigger the mind to think of Actinium.
- Make up your own silly words, and it will help you remember facts faster.
Have Fun with this Activity!
Our books are available on Amazon, “Teach Your Toddler to Read Through Play,” “Fun Easy Ways to Teach Your Toddler to Write, and “Teach Your Child About Money Through Play.“
THE TEACH YOUR TODDLER TO READ THROUGH PLAY ONLINE COURSE HAS A $97 DISCOUNT.
Click here for the PAYMENT PLAN OPTION!
Chain linking Is so interesting! I read about it recently. It’s really effective!
It is such a great way to learn!! Thank you for your comment!
I will try this memory trick exercise with my niece and nephew!
Oh great! I hope they like it!
I love when I can come up with something funny to help me and my kids remember things. I just wish I could come up with a better way to remember names, but I don’t think fast enough…. lol
There is a way to remember names You can make a picture from the persons name like James would be a pic of Jam. Mary can be a picture of a lamb. You can also use their names while talking to the person at the end and the beginning of conversation.
What a simple and effective way to sharpen kids’ memories! will definitely whip this out to my class when we have down time!
Wonderful! I hope your kids like it!!
What a simple and effective way to sharpen kids’ memories! will definitely whip this out to my class when we have down time!
Great ideas! I love to read to my children using all sorts of extravagant voices and then quiz them afterwards. It makes story time fun and really helps them to focus!
Thank you for your comment Jen! You are making reading fun for your kids. I love it!
This is great, can’t wait to work on it with the kids!
Oh great!! I hope your kids enjoy this method.
I love this memory trick! I’ll have to show my son…and also my husband! Maybe it will work for grocery shopping… Lol!
Yes this is perfect for a trip to the grocery store!
The funny thing is I did the silly story for many of my classes in high school…but never thought to apply it to my children….😊
Thank you for your comment. Oh yes! My son loves the chain linking method. We use it to remember lots of things!