A Guide to Memory Tools That Work with Your Brain
- Sarah Kahn
- Nov 6
- 6 min read
A memory supports students with executive functioning (processes that help with planning, organization, time management and self-regulation) by helping provide structure, consistency, independence and for the student. From a testing perspective, a memory aid is a tool designed for students to retrieve information they’ve already learned and/or studied but have difficulty accessing/recalling. A memory aid helps the student recall information that would be inaccessible to them particularly in a testing situation, and provides students an equal opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of course material on tests/exams without putting a toll on their memory.
A student’s working memory capacity is vital to ensure they can learn new information and use previously learned information as well. Working memory has a limited capacity in students, but it is even more limited in neurodivergent students, making learning more challenging for those individuals. Neurodivergent students have difficulty with their organization, working memory and following complex instructions. This is why memory aids can be very useful for them in order to be successful and achieve the necessary educational requirements.
In this blog we will discuss some practical, subject-specific tools and strategies that align with your child/student’s brain and specific learning needs! Many of these tools and strategies can be used individually or simultaneously to help your child/student be academically successful!
A memory aid can be created in a variety of forms (which will be discussed very shortly) and is a breakdown of multiple pieces of information that provides a clearer representation of ideas or tasks. From an assessment perspective, a memory aid is not like a cheat sheet as it doesn't have all the course material on it. Instead, it helps cue or trigger things such as rhymes, acoustics, or diagrams. The student requires a solid understanding of the course material (gained through previous study) in order for the memory aid to be useful. The cues and triggers are completely separate from the course material so the memory aid would only benefit the student who wrote it themselves.
Internal memory strategies help you recall information by using tricks in your mind. These are strategies the child can do in their mind to help remember things. Internal strategies include but are not limited to:
Rehearsal → retelling yourself information you just learned or restating it out loud in your own words
Chunking → grouping items to reduce the number of items to remember (e.g. grouping 7-digit phone numbers into 2 chunks, one with 3 numbers and the other with 4 numbers)
Rhyming → making a rhyme out of important information
Acronyms or alphabet cueing → creating a letter for each word you want to remember, or vice versa (e.g. “Every Good Boy Does Fine” to remember the notes E, G, B, D and F are on the lines of a treble staff in music)
Imagery/visualization → creating pictures of the information in your mind
Association → linking old information or habits with new information or habits
External memory strategies help you recall information with auditory and/or visual cues. They help to compensate for memory impairments. External strategies include but are not limited to:
Routines → develop consistent habits, setting timers or using a planner
Environmental placement → creating specific, permanent places for certain items
Lists/notes → make lists and notes about specific things
Voice recording → record new information
Memory aids are particularly important for students with ADHD, learning disabilities and other learning differences. For example, students with ADHD tend to process information slower than other students and have poor executive function skills which affects their learning strategies and study skills. Additionally, students with learning disabilities due to impairments from one or more processes can affect the ability to remember and learn things and are therefore required to put in much more effort just to pass a course.
Visual schedules or subject-specific checklists - utilizing visual schedules and subject specific checklists can help the student prioritize and organize specific tasks to ensure they are aware of what tasks need to be done/what to expect next
Colour-coding by subject or concept - colour coding is known to enhance attention, improve memory and organization to make larger amounts of information more understandable
Sticky notes or digital reminders - sticky notes are quick and easy way to brainstorm information and digital reminders allow the student to organize multiple deadlines for assignments/tasks and improve time management
Flashcards (paper or apps like Quizlet) - flashcards promote active recall to lessen the demand on information processing and long-term memory
Mind maps and graphic organizers - mind maps and graphic organizers enhance understanding, improve memory and represent a summary of complex ideas/information in a visual format
Acronyms and acrostics (e.g., PEMDAS, HOMES) - acronyms and acrostics are helpful because they serve as mnemonic devices to help the student remember specific rules/concepts
Spelling mnemonics (“Because: Big Elephants Can Always Understand Small Elephants”) - help improve memory and recall of challenging words
Anchor charts for grammar rules or writing structure - serves as a reference tool, reinforces learning and promotes independent work
Story maps for remembering plot elements - provide a visual and organized method for recalling key information
R.A.C.E. strategy for paragraph writing (Restate, Answer, Cite, Explain) - provides a structured approach for students to complete a written response
Visual word walls or personal dictionaries - support the development of literacy skills
Math Memory Aids
Mnemonics for order of operations or unit conversion (e.g., “King Henry Died…”) - help students remember and apply fundamental concepts for calculations or conversions
Multiplication songs or rhymes - helps with memorizing important concepts and recognize patterns
Step-by-step process cue cards for solving equations - break down complex equations to make it easier to understand
Visual aids for place value or fractions - makes it easier to visualize and understand mathematical relationships
Times tables charts and skip counting strategies - improve mathematical and numeracy skills
Science Memory Aids
Diagrams with labeled parts (cell structures, body systems, etc.) - enhance learning by providing a connection between visual and textual information
Songs for memorizing scientific processes (e.g., water cycle, photosynthesis) - promotes memorization in a fun and engaging way
“See, Think, Wonder” chart for recalling experiment details - encourages thinking, observation and stimulates curiosity
Classification acronyms (e.g., “Dear King Philip Came Over For Good Soup” for taxonomy) - helps memorize and organize information for a complex sequence of steps
Flashcards with visuals of concepts or tools - improve memory by allowing the student to make associations
Social Studies Memory Aids
Timelines for historical events - provide a visual and chronological order of events
Mapping skills charts and compass mnemonics (e.g., “Never Eat Soggy Waffles”) - strengthen spatial thinking and mapping
Chunking dates and key facts into short summaries - helps with retention of information and transfer of information
Cause-and-effect graphic organizers - help visualize ideas and sequence information to improve understanding and memory
Fact recall games or role-play to reinforce historical events - improves student engagement, participation and understanding of important events
Foreign Language Memory Aids
Vocabulary flashcards with visuals - helps memorize things by implementing visual associations
Repetition-based apps (e.g., Duolingo) - improves long-term memory by periodically reviewing concepts
Personal phrasebooks - helps with learning and understanding important words and phrases
Rhymes, songs, and chants for verb conjugation or articles - builds vocabulary, encourages speech, and improves sentence structure and learning
Sticky labels on household items (for home practice) - provides frequent and meaningful exposure to words and strengthens recall of particular words
Tech Tools That Support Memory
Reminder and note-taking apps (Google Keep, Reminders, Notion) - helpful resource to keep track of important things without overloading mental capacity
Digital visual schedules (e.g., Choiceworks) - helps to understand the concept of time and create routines that stick
Quiz platforms like Kahoot, Quizlet, and Blooket - provides a fun and engaging way to memorize or learn information
Speech-to-text tools to help students capture ideas before forgetting - improves word recognition, improves memory and increases attention while reading
Tips for Choosing the Right Memory Aid
Consider learning style (visual, auditory, kinesthetic) - identifying the learning style that works best for the student will allow them to better understand and absorb what they are learning, which will improve their academic performance
Use student input and allow trial-and-error - listen to the students and brainstorm ideas to increase memory and information retention. Observe what does/doesn’t help them learn in the classroom and adjust accordingly.
Focus on tools that reduce cognitive load, not add to it - reducing cognitive load helps students process information more effectively and support the transfer of knowledge to long-term memory
Keep it consistent across home and school if possible - consistency ensures that what the student is learning is being reinforced and increases memory
WonderTree offers personalized academic intervention and executive functioning coaching to help your child build essential skills like organization, time management, and study strategies. Our expert team supports students in reaching their full potential, gaining independence, and thriving academically.
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IMPORTANT: Information shared by WonderTree is not intended to replace or be constituted as clinical or medical care. It’s intended for educational purposes only. Each child is unique, and the information provided may not be applicable to your specific situation. If you need support, please establish care with a licensed provider so that they can provide tailored recommendations for you or your child. This blog is non-monetized.
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