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!
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- 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!
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