I have done a lot of research on how the brain retains and recalls information. As a teacher, I am aware of all the different ways children learn. Some are visual learners and need to see a picture to store information in the brain. Others are more audio and remember information by hearing and speaking. Still another group are active, kinesthetic learners who need to touch, hold and participate using their body. These are only the 3 basic learning styles. Naturally there are many variations and overlaps.
Within my products, I incorporate memory methods to reach all children with their own specific needs. The memory techniques I use are rhymes, stories, pictures, associations, mnemonics; along with fun activities.
Defined in broad terms, a mnemonic is a device, procedure, or operation that is used to improve memory. Defined in narrow terms – a mnemonic is a specific reconstruction of target content intended to tie new information more closely to the learner’s existing knowledge base and, therefore, facilitate retrieval.
Memorizing information should never be used before children understand the concept of what is being taught. By providing a strong foundation of understanding, memorization becomes a meaningful and useful tool.
~ Donnalyn Yates, M.Ed
Your students need to be aware of the benefits of memorizing a subject, and be assured that memorization can be easy and fun. Memory Joggers makes this a reality by using pictures, stories and rhymes to captivate a student’s interest. Children respond to this fun method and are anxious to learn all the facts. Self-confidence soars!
An effective memorization program will make certain the student understands the basic concepts of a subject before using memory techniques. Since a teacher developed and used Memory Joggers concepts in her own classroom, the system includes material for teaching the concepts before proceeding to the memory program.
This is why Memory Joggers excels over other memory systems. For example, in the multiplication/division system, all numbers have an association that is consistent and easily remembered by sound-alike words. Other systems do not have a meaningful organizational base. All Memory Joggers products were designed to accomplish this model.
Another powerful memory principle is making a mental picture of what needs to be remembered. Memory Joggers not only provides pictures to stimulate the visualization process, but also includes visualization exercises, teaching students how to visualize on their own. Teaching children how to “see” the picture in their mind is an important facet of the Memory Joggers system.
Memory is increased when facts to be learned are associated with something familiar. The stories and characters in the Memory Joggers system were carefully chosen to be age appropriate and to provide children with powerful associations that are easily identifiable to them.
Rhymes are one of the most powerful tools of memorization. The Memory Joggers system was developed with this in mind. Mnemonics, which is a formula or rhyme, is a proven memory technique. Knowing how quickly children learn and remember songs and rhymes, Donnalyn Yates includes simple mnemonic rhymes throughout her teaching system.
Repetition is important but only if it can become a fun activity. Boring repetition fails. Making the memorization process fun is why Memory Joggers is so successful. Memorizing becomes a game the child can play. Over and over the student happily repeats the information to be remembered. Memory Joggers is proven to have kids laughing and asking for more!
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