Visual memory
The term visual memory is quite self-explanatory.
We can recall something we’ve seen, including activities, pictures or words. It is one of the most basic ways we learn. We see something, and we learn from it. Visual memory has a big impact on learning. As much as 80% of what we learn is visual.
What you might see at home if your child has poor visual memory
Visual memory difficulties can impact on both reading and spelling ability. A child with poor visual memory will find it difficult to develop a good sight vocabulary as they have difficulty remembering the overall visual appearance of words. They may remember the letters but often cannot remember their order.
Visual memory is also key to memorising maths facts.
Visual memory becomes increasingly important in subjects like geometry, algebra, and science, where you need to remember patterns, shapes and diagrams of multi-step processes.
What you can do at home to help
- Snap - simple snap games require holding pictures in the short term memory and improving recognition/reaction times
- Dobble - players compete with each other to find the one matching symbol between two cards. It can be played with up to 8 players and there are lots of different versions available
- Spot the difference, finish the picture, dot to dot, mazes, jigsaws, etc. - many of these activities can be found in activity books available from newsagents
- Play Matching Pairs - start with 6-8 pairs of cards initially. The child turns over two cards at a time and tries to find the matching pairs. There are lots of these available commercially. Ravensburger Memory Games are inexpensive and durable and come in several themed variations but there are also printables online. Orchard Games make versions which help develop other literacy skills e.g. Slug in a Jug is a matching game which also supports rhyming skills. Online versions are also available
- Kim’s game - place objects, letters, pictures, words on a tray (or table), show them to your child, cover them up and get them to name the objects. The number of objects can be increased depending on the age/memory capacity of the child. Alternatively, you can remove one, two, three etc. The child has to guess what has been removed
- A variation is ‘What moved?’ - a spot the difference type activity in which the child looks at an arrangement of items and after turning their back for a moment, looks again and says which item has been moved to a different position
Useful websites
- EChalk
- OT mom learning activities
- Brain curls - Meadow Mines memory game
- Brain curls - Butterfly memories
Useful apps
- Look again!
- LitePick up Sticks Casual
- Monster Hunt
