Children’s Academy for Neurodevelopment & Learning

IDEAS TO HELP FAMILIES

Sequential Memory
(building Short-term memory)

Purpose: Sequential memory, (also called ‘short-term’ memory) the number of individual pieces of information one is able to hold together at one time, has significant impact on function and learning.  The individual with poor sequencing ability may have difficulty in motor planning (getting your body to mover where & how you want).  Complex subtle social interaction (figuring out how close to stand to someone without being to close); or, how to be assertive without being aggressive.  Creating logical connections between words, ideas, or concepts.  Many times what appears to be attentional or organizing difficulties involve complex patterns of sequencing.  Sequential, short-term memory, can be improved with practice.  A newborn isn’t too young to start building short-term memory!

Objective: to build sequential memory.

Procedures: This fun activity can be done while riding in the car, taking a bath, cuddle time before bed, just playing, working in the garden, etc.  Be creative, have fun, keep it positive and reinforcing!

Auditory:

This activity is auditory—do not give any visual clues!  Use a monotone voice with a one second pause between each direction.  Don’t use extra words… the brain must process those too. 

Directions:

For  infant or ‘hurt’ child:  

This activity can be done with a newborn, “hurt” child (brain-injured or other disabled child), toddler or preschooler! Depending on age & ability use body parts, blow a kiss, jump, wave bye-bye, turn around, colors, shapes, silly words, days of the week, vegetables, etc. be creative and have fun.  For newborns or ‘hurt’ child body parts are on hand so the game can be played any time!

Newborn’s hands are ‘cupped’ so to know if it’s an intentional move teach using a flat open hand.  By starting auditory sequential memory at birth you are jump starting those neurons and accelerating their development!

Directions:  Simply say ‘nose’ then take their flat open-hand and touch their nose… praise the heck out of their “accomplishment”.  I’ve seen two week olds follow one direction (developmentally a 1 yr old).  In a short time (couple of weeks) he/she will touch their nose!  When they consistently touch the nose change to a different part such as ear.  Keep it fun and positive.  Make them feel what they did is the greatest thing since slice bread… it is, they’re building new connections in their brain!!

Toddler or preschooler

Tell the child ‘we’re going to play a fun game.  I’m going to say some things and I want you to touch them in the order I say… ready?

Start with one direction.  Say “touch nose”. The child must immediately touch their nose.  If they don’t respond immediately after a second repeat the direction.  If they do- PRAISE and reinforce positively.  Give them a different direction.  If they don’t do it… take their hand and touch their nose.  PRAISE and reinforce.

Use different sequences each time.  If you always use the same sequence they will memorize it.  This activity is not to build memorization but instant recall.  How do you know when they are ready for the next level?  When they can do 75% (3 out of 4, 5 out of 6) at the level you’re at then move up to a sequence of 2.   Ex. “Clap hands, turn around” or  “touch shoulders, knee”.

Again they must respond immediately, if not take their hands/body and do the sequence.  PRAISE and reinforce.

Above age two or experienced ‘hurt’ kids:

When they can do 2’s move up to 3’s then 4’s and keep increasing.  At this point be creative use colors, food items, furniture, days of the week, clothes, animals, numbers, silly words, school facts, the secret ‘code’ needed for the door to open (light go off), or ask them to bring you a sequence of objects (pen, shoe, comb in that order).

FAQs:

How do you know when they are ready for the next level?  

When they accurately do 75% at any particular level.  

Ex.  You’ve been working on a sequence of 5 for a while.  When you give them 4 or 6 different sequences and they get 3 out of 4 or 5 out of 6 correct then its time to move up to 6’s.  Be sure and tell them how wonderful and smart they are!

Visual

This time don’t say anything (auditory over rides visual so don’t turn it into auditory).  Again start with a sequence of two and build as before.  For example: Show them a red block and a yellow block, then cover them up.

You can use:

• memory cards, 

• photos, 

• toys, baseball cards, 

• clothes from the laundry as they’re folded, 

• or other objects.  

• Use your imagination and start with things the child loves or has an interest in.

Let them see the sequence for a second or two then cover the items with a blanket and they would tell you what they saw.  If they aren’t talking yet, use two of the same objects or cards; one for you the other for them.  Show them the sequence and they would give you theirs in the same order.  Say you show them a pen, shoe, and toy.  They would give you their pen, shoe and toy in that order.    Another idea is to use a magnet board (or fridge) with different magnets. 

Notes about Sequential Memory 

Each number is a developmental year.  So progressing from a 1-2, 2-3 or 6-7, etc is a full developmental year.  Going from a 2 to a 3 or 5 to a 6 usually will take longer than 1-2, 3-4 or 6-7.  This is because children at these normal developmental ages are physically going through a growth spurt. When a child progresses from a 4 to 5 for example, that child is now learning to be a 5 year developmentally. You will see major changes in maturity, but you will still experience 5-year-old temper tantrums, decision making and academic levels. This process of growth takes time, so be patient. 

 The brain can only handle one major project at a time… it grows!  Be patient and keep up your great work!  This isn’t saying it will take them a year—it depends on the individual brain… I’ve seen kids start at 1 or 2 and be at 4/5 at their next evaluation!!!

For Advanced Kids or your Gifted Child

Don’t limit your child… keep going, I know teens doing 12’s & 18, think of the mental potential!    

When they get up to 6 or 7 add variety by doing them reversed.  This teaches visualization.  Try it- you have to visualize the sequence to turn it around! You say a sequence backwards and the child repeats it to you frontward.  Ex: red, purple, yellow… they’d say yellow, purple, red.  

This activity is great to teach spelling.  Spelling requires visualization and processing.  Stay within their span and in the same monotone voice spell a word say “dog”; you’d say d-o-g they’d repeat “dog” and identify word (dog).  You can do this with any word they can read.  So open a book they’re reading and build spelling!  

This is a whole family activity!

The results of increasing everyone’s short-term memory are clearer, quicker thinking, less confusion, & better communication.  You’ll have less need to reread information or have to hear it again.  You’ll respond faster, more accurately to real-life or academic problems.  Naturally, this means less stress & higher self-esteem, with greater satisfaction & all-around success in life.

• Increase short-term capacity         

• Improve auditory and visual sequential processing

• Raise cognitive processing speed

• Develop visualization & conceptualization skills

• Improve attention & concentration

• Enhance listening, reading, and self-expression

• Increase mental efficiency & organization

• Increase confidence through reduced confusion

•  Enhance communication & social interactions

• Support growth in emotional intelligence    

POSITIVE REINFORCEMENTS

The more fun and rewarding you make this activity, especially for the older “labeled” child the more they will WANT to do this.  You want this to be their most favorite thing to do so… PRAISE, PRAISE, PRAISE every effort.  Give incentives like stickers, coins, stay up later than usual or tell Dad.  Older children may work for a CD or video they want “when you move up to __ you can get your ___” 

Have fun and be patient!!