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Five Tips to increase short-term memory of your students

April 22, 2010 by Jeremy Jones

For many of our students with special needs at YES Prep, short-term memory and processing speeds are below average. It is a challenge for students to grasp information on the first try, and sometimes even with repeated information, mastery of objectives is hard to obtain. Short-term memory enables us to hold information for a brief period of time. We can use such information immediately while it is being developed, or we can forget it almost instantly.

Challenges with short-term memory tend to produce inconsistencies in: following verbal instructions; a history of having trouble studying facts, words, dates, and vocabulary; and failure to use strategies of any kind while studying. Here are some strategies that you can adopt into your classroom that will help students recall and remember instructions and information:

Give instructions at the time you want them carried out. Avoid giving directions too far in advance of an activity.
When you repeat your directions, say them in a different manner. State them in a unique way rather than repeating the same thing again and again. Use clear, simple language.
As the student gets older, teach them good note taking strategies as a written way to remember.
Help students act out what you have asked for or repeat the directions to you.
Use rhythm or a pattern to help your student remember. You could even us a popular song or poem and substitute the words you are asking the student remember.