Parents have probably had to help their children learn a poem at least once. And, if some children are enough to read the poem a couple of times to memorize, others do worse with memorization. What does it depend on? Scientists have discovered that there is an innate feature of the brain that makes it better at memorizing information. What should we do for children with a "hole" memory? It can be developed. In this article we will talk about mnemotechnics - a system of memorization with the help of associations.
The reading time is 3 minutes.
Are mnemotechnics or mnemonics the same thing?
Yes. Both terms mean the same thing - a set of techniques that help you remember information in a special way. The words are based on the Greek root "mnemo" - memory. How does it work? To memorize new data, already known pictures in the brain are used, so the information is easier to digest.
Vivid associations are the basic principle of mnemotechnics
So, to memorize something important, you need to create a picture in your head. For example, a child needs to memorize the rules of the Russian language - "zhi-shi is spelled with an "i". We create in his brain an image of a giraffe eating rose hips. Both words contain syllables with this rule. Whenever the child encounters the syllables zhi-shi in writing, this image will pop up in his mind.
Or another example. The child needs to remember the colors of the rainbow. You can think of a whole picture - a hunter in red boots and a yellow panama sits in green bushes with an orange gun and so on. So that the right colors are present in the picture.
This works further into adulthood. Why do we associate New Year's Eve with the color green? It is the color of the Christmas tree. You can also make a shopping list when you go to the store - picture vivid images of products in your head.
What's good for mnemonics
- its methods can be used to quickly memorize large amounts of information. For example, when you are asked to memorize a long poem;
- you don't need any special knowledge to use it;
- helps develop a child's imagination and creativity;
- after all, it improves memory and concentration. That's what it's used for.
What mnemotechnical methods to use
Let's consider the simplest methods. For example, the "chain" method. Its essence is to create sequential associations between pieces of information.
For example, there is a game - the first player says a word, the second player repeats the first word and says his own, then the first words are repeated and a new word is called. The game goes on until one of the participants breaks the chain.
How to memorize all the links? Create a single image. For example, a chain of words - tree - house - bicycle - cat - refrigerator - shovel - grass. Create a picture in your head: the tree stands in front of the house, and to the house leaned a bicycle, on which sits a cat. A refrigerator is tied to the trunk of the bicycle and a shovel is lying on it. There is green grass under the bicycle.
The main thing is to memorize all the elements of the chain, otherwise it will "fall apart".
There is also the most famous method - abbreviations. For example, a children's phrase for remembering the colors of the rainbow about a hunter and a pheasant. Here the first letter of each word means the first letter of the colors of the rainbow. That is, a whole mnemophrase is used.
But you can also memorize by letters. For example, remember the schedule of lessons for tomorrow: Russian, math, English, physical education, music. If you take the first letters of the lessons, you get RMAFM. It is already easier to memorize than all 5 words.
When is the best time to start practicing with your child
Developing a child's memory can be done at any age. Just as children learn short poems at 2-3 years old, and with age move on to longer poems, so it is with mnemonics. With toddlers, you can start with simple exercises and gradually make the lessons more difficult. Schoolchildren who were regularly practiced with as children show better academic performance. It is easier for them to assimilate new information because their brains are trained to do so.
Teachers also use mnemotechnics methods in language learning. After all, it increases the child's interest, and therefore, the effectiveness.
Our blog has other useful articles about pedagogy and child development:
- The child is a polymath - developing the worldview
- How learning affects brain development
- Bilingualism in children
- Emotional intelligence - raising a happy child
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