What is mnemonics and how to learn it. Mnemonics: exercises for the development of memory for adults and children. The technology of this method of memorization

Mnemonics for beginners is a system of various methods that helps to remember information using various associations and is used in teaching children from preschool age. This technique uses previous knowledge to create a chain of connections. Thanks to such logical series, you can easily remember information that is difficult to understand.

There are many techniques of mnemonics. For example, the Cicero method is based on spatial imagination; Aivazovsky's method works by training visual memory. Numerical sequences, foreign words, or complex terms are easier to remember with consonant or familiar words and numbers.

At a time when there was no written language, the ancient priests and storytellers had to memorize huge amounts of information. With the appearance of the first texts set out on paper, the art of mastering mnemonics has not lost its relevance, because the raw materials for writing them were very expensive. Even in Ancient Greece, they made notes on mnemonics. The art of associative memorization was mastered by the monks of the Middle Ages. At all times, people who could quickly remember and store useful and interesting knowledge were appreciated.

Pros and cons of mnemonics

Mnemonics are actively used in teaching children. For example, one of the most famous phrases for studying sequence in the color spectrum is "Every Hunter Wants to Know Where the Pheasant Sits." It is she who helps to accurately tell how the rainbow is "arranged".

The role of the technique in the development of children:

  • helps to quickly and permanently memorize information;
  • improves memory and attentiveness;
  • develops speech, expands vocabulary and horizons, teaches how to pronounce sounds and words correctly;
  • forms logical and imaginative thinking;
  • improves imagination, intellectual and creative abilities;
  • fosters character, teaches sociability, helps to overcome isolation and shyness.

There are very few disadvantages of mnemonics when used correctly.

  • At the initial stage of application, children have a small vocabulary, so it can be difficult for them to work using this technique.
  • There is no need to abuse the method and use it when it is too easy to understand the properties and remember the signs - this slows down the development of the child.
  • Sometimes it is impossible to use the technique. For diversified development, it is necessary to teach the child and the mechanical memorization of information, this skill will also come in handy in the future.

The human brain has two hemispheres. The left one is responsible for logic and speech, and the right one helps to perceive various colors, form images with the help of imagination. When using the techniques of mnemonics, both halves are activated simultaneously. As a result, thought processes are most beneficial in the form of learned knowledge.

At what age are they used?

Teaching children with the help of mnemonics can start from the very early age... Getting started with exercises for children starts with simple techniques.

First, they use mnemonic squares, which can be introduced to babies at the age of three. In the first lessons, children learn simple images that represent one word, phrase or simple phrase. You can put pictures in a square and learn poems with movements.

Later, at 4-5 years old, kids get acquainted with mnemonic tracks - systematized pictures of four drawings. With the help of such images, the concept of sequences is formed. Thanks to group illustrations, you can easily tell a short story, remember the stages of washing your hands, the process of dressing or washing your face.

With children 6-7 years old, they begin to study, which allow them to perform more complex actions:

  • memorize poems and compound words;
  • guess and guess riddles;
  • find rhymes to words;
  • come up with fairy tales or stories;
  • distribute items into groups according to certain criteria;
  • study numbers;
  • to get acquainted with the basic rules of life safety and behavior in various places, methods of self-service.

Children learn to express their thoughts correctly and beautifully, to use new words in speech. There is a development of attention and ingenuity, the ability to highlight the main thing and compare improves.

Application features

It is possible to achieve results during training in mnemonics if you follow the basic rules for using the technique.

  • Subsequence. You cannot start classes with difficult tasks. First, they work with mnemonic squares, single images, then with mnemonic tracks and mnemonic tables.
  • Rationing. Children are not shown more than two tables a day, and the number of images in each block should be no more than 9 pieces. Too much information is difficult for a child to assimilate, so classes will be ineffective.
  • Colorfulness. Pictures should interest the child in their appearance... They use bright colors, rich and expressive images. Tables in black and white will not be able to attract the attention of children and have the desired impact; they can only be used for older preschool children.
  • Emotionality. Children should feel the positive energy of such activities.
  • Diversity. Pictures or series of images for one lesson should be on different topics. The guys will quickly lose interest in training of the same type. It is also advisable to select tables that require different actions. For example, the first pictures help you remember the sequence of meals, and the next group tells you how insects move.
  • No enforcement action: just a game. It is possible to conduct classes only when children are involved in the process with pleasure and interest. Everything should happen in a playful way. If the kids' attention fades, it is better to stop the lesson and continue at another time.

It is enough to adhere to these simple principles to achieve maximum learning outcomes.

How to organize the game?

Folk mnemonics is the simplest and most accessible technique. Any lesson is carried out in several stages:

  1. information is encoded into a specific image;
  2. then remember this connection and sequence;
  3. mentally repeat the information so that the brain connects it with the image and forms a logical chain.

With her help, children get to know road signs, develop coherent speech. She helps to learn the alphabet.

The process of studying sound occurs according to the following scheme:

  • first, children are introduced to his image in the picture;
  • after that, with the help of a drawing, they teach to pronounce a sound;
  • to consolidate knowledge, they develop vocabulary: they pronounce words with the desired sound, make up small stories from pictures. It is not enough to simply repeat the sound mechanically; in this case, logical connections are not formed.

Many mnemonic methods are easy to use at home for overall development child. Most of them are based on the fact that babies visual memory much better developed than the auditory. When familiar with any sequences, it is appropriate to use the simple Simonides method. In many fairy tales for the smallest in the plot, the heroes appear one after another and perform the same actions. For example, when reading "Turnip" or "Kolobok", you can pick up pictures with images of all the main characters. The prepared "props" are placed side by side and used for clarity in the process of getting to know the work.

It is easier to listen to and remember a fairy tale, story or poem in this sequence.

  1. An adult reads a text to a child. This should be done slowly, with short pauses, so that the baby has time to understand the information.
  2. The work should be recited again. Take a break from reading in the right places to explore catchy pictures together.
  3. Re-examine the drawings together with the child, clarify their meaning in context. If during the discussion the child does not understand the meaning of any other words, then it is appropriate to pick up new pictures for them.
  4. The text must be read again, dividing it into small semantic fragments.
  5. It remains to give the child the opportunity to repeat what he was able to remember. In the process of retelling it, pictures are considered, if necessary, they suggest complex words or the continuation of the text.

In senior preschool age children are familiar with the alphabet and can read simple words. In the mnemonic table, it is appropriate to place schematic images, drawings and inscriptions of hint terms. For example, if a child wants to talk about his trip to the sea, then you can use signs with the words "summer" and "sea", a schematic representation of the road, a picture of an inflatable circle or a swimsuit.

Exercises according to the technique are also used when memorizing poems. An excellent example is a simple and capacious verse by A. Barto "Bear".

Dropped the bear on the floor (use a drawing of a bear on the floor of the room),

They torn off the paw of the bear (an image of an animal without a paw is prepared).

I won't leave him anyway,

Because he is good (a picture with a boy or girl with a toy in his hands).

The child will love the story in which he will become the main character. A mom or dad will come up with such a story on a specific topic for the baby. For example, "How did Vera go to the garden for vegetables" or "What's for Masha's dinner today?" In the course of the story, the baby gets acquainted with various foods. At an older age, the child will be able to independently compose a similar story about members of his family, pets, about a variety of events in his life.

The game "Interesting figure" is suitable for a 3-4-year-old baby. Use toothpicks or matches to create a simple shape, such as a square or circle. When the child examines the image, cover it with paper and invite the child to lay out the same figure from memory. Over time, you can make the image more complex, teach the child to recount all the elements of the figure. After the lesson, the matches should be removed to a place inaccessible to the crumbs.

To develop attention, they organize the game "Day-Night". Cards with thematic images are placed in front of the child. After the spoken word "Night" the baby closes his eyes. At this time, the adult changes one of the cards or removes it. After the phrase "The day has come," the child opens his eyes and determines which image is missing (or which card is superfluous).

Various tasks can be invented independently, adjusted depending on the interests and preferences of the child. Mnemonics allows you to teach children useful and necessary knowledge in a playful way. It makes it easier studying proccess and brings variety to it.

Hello dear readers!

Do you have memory problems? Is it hard for you to memorize numbers and events? Then mnemonics will help you. Do you know what this is? Then I will introduce you to this concept, and you will remember everything and always.

Want to? Meet: mnemonics - techniques for memorizing numerical combinations, events, words based on associations.

How does the method work?

Mnemonics as a means of memorization originated in antiquity. The Greeks were the first to notice that a person's memory is directly related to his senses. The more impressions a person gets, the brighter the memories. Therefore, in order to remember something, you need to connect various associations.

In order for the memory to retain some words or numbers for a long time, it is necessary to replace facts and objects with concepts and representations that have a kinesthetic, visual and auditory representation. In other words, we replace dry facts in our minds with more vivid and impressive images.

Mnemonics gives amazing results. You can memorize hundreds of phone numbers, grammar rules, anecdotes, outline plans, etc. Want to try? Let's start then.

Memorizing numbers using mnemonics

If you need to learn a large number of numbers (car numbers, telephones, mathematical operations), you can choose one of your favorite memorization methods using mnemonics.

  • Alphanumeric code. The technique is based on the fact that each of the numbers from 0 to 9 is assigned a letter corresponding to the name of the number, for example: 1 - p (times), zero - n, etc. To memorize a large number, you need to break it into pairs of numbers and assign a letter to each. Then, with these letters, the words are formed: 58-53 (PV-PT - Paulin Po Lost). It is best to come up with a few sentences or a coherent text, then memorization will go much better.
  • "Hanger". This unusual technique consists in the fact that for each word a consonant or associative row is invented. Then a story or a fairy tale is composed with these words. For ease of memorization, you can use rhymes, for example: one - master, two - head, etc. Sometimes the numbers are represented as one curve of the buttons on the phone.


  • Combining images and numbers. This technique addresses the form of writing a number. For example, one is like a pole or pencil, zero is like the sun, etc. Then the found images are combined into some interesting memorable story.
  • O Brian's Method. It is similar to the previous ones and consists in assigning an image of some famous person to each digit.

Use only one method! Don't try to use everything at once! It is very difficult and not productive. Techniques are designed for short-term memorization.

They are good if you need to quickly prepare for an exam or other important event. You won't be able to learn all physics or math with this method. Although, who knows?

Learning foreign languages ​​using mnemonics

One of the most big problems when learning foreign languages ​​is memorizing words. Unfortunately, traditional cramming doesn't always work. In order not only to remember the sound and meaning of a word, but also to be able to recall it and apply it in practice at the right moment of the conversation, use the following memorization algorithm:

  1. Create an image based on a word.
  2. Associate the image with the meaning of the word by association.
  3. Retrieve the image at the right time from memory and restore the sound of the word.


Let's look at an example of memorization English words on the technique of mnemonics, since this language is most in demand today in international communication.

Here's an example: owl in English means "owl". It is consonant with the Russian word “aul”, which means “eastern settlements”. Imagine that an owl is flying around an aul. At the right time, restore this image, and the sound will come to you by itself.

It is better to create such "memos" yourself. So they will be stored in memory, since they were invented by you.

However, if you do not have enough imagination and time to think about each word, you can use ready-made techniques. The images are already invented for you: you only put them into practice.

Many modern teachers of mnemonics say: if you master the technique perfectly, you can memorize 100 words per hour. Is it real?


Reviews in various forums from people who attended mnemonics seminars say that the technique really works. However, it is necessary to adapt to it and adjust the brain. Not every one of us is ready, looking in a dictionary, to invent some ridiculous stories, and then remember them!

Techniques for memorizing historical facts using mnemonics

Who among us has not suffered from the fact that he needs to prepare history tickets for the exam, and remembering all the dates and events is not possible? This is because you did not use the mnemonic technique to prepare for the history exam. Here you can combine several methods at once.

First you need to understand that history is not just dates, but their specific sequence. To memorize them in order, you need to make up a number of associations.

Let's take an example. Suppose that we are faced with the task of mastering the date of the death of Byzantium - 1453.

  1. We make a number-letter code. To do this, we assign a letter to each number. The path will be 4-ch, 5-pb, 3-kx. We come up with a word with them, say, ShchePka. You can take other symbols by creating them yourself.
  2. Next, we encode by consonance. Byzantium is consonant with the "visa" plastic card.
  3. As a reference to the empire, we present the imperial crown.


We connect all the elements in our imagination. Let it be the number of the card in the corner and its type - crown.

At the right time, imagine a map and decipher this image. Believe me, this will be easy.

Does mnemonics work?

Many, looking at the chain of associations that they have to implement, will say that it is too difficult. To memorize a single date or a series of numbers, you have to invent whole stories.

At first, this process seems laborious, as it requires straining the imagination, and we do it in Everyday life not so often. But after a few workouts, memorization will go by itself.


Mnemonic chains do work. The fact is that our memory prefers to store not dry facts and meaningless words and numbers, but images. Today this scientific fact is available to everyone, but we do not use it for our own benefit.

In ancient times, the Egyptian priests had the so-called "science of imagery." It was a secret teaching, carefully guarded from ordinary people... Why is the image so important to us?

If you carefully follow your train of thought, you will realize that you are thinking not in words or numbers, but in images. If a word is associated with a representation, you memorize it easily, it can even evoke certain feelings in you.

It's the same with numbers. Even the people around us, we perceive as some images created by them.

Why not create an image yourself for memorization? Gradually, you will get used to this line of thought and you will not be able to exist without it. The mnemonic will become your best helper.

Today this science is even taught in some schools. Not intentionally. Maybe we can raise a generation with extraordinary abilities. But for quick counting, they use a different method -.

A person can remember events from the distant past, but recent ones are forgotten. Psychologists explain that smells or images are associated with a particular event. After presenting the association, the person remembers the event. Mnemonics is based on this connection.

A real story about a friend Denis, who had a very good memory and used mnemonics to train her

I have a friend Denis. Even from school he had an excellent memory - poems, historical dates he remembered without problems. Now he is 25, his memory has not deteriorated. When I asked how he memorizes even complex numbers so quickly and easily, he shared a secret. It turns out he uses mnemonics.

Regular training, the search for new methods - all this gives him excellent results. Denis is constantly developing his memory with mnemonics.

Mnemonic memory and mnemonics: defining what it is based on and how it works

The origins of mnemonics come from Ancient Greece. Philosophers and thinkers have found that memory depends on the senses. The more emotions an event evokes, the longer it will remain in a person's memory. How are mnemonics and memory development related?

Until now, mnemonics have been developed, improved, made more effective. Previously, using this technique, they memorized coherent sentences of the text, now the technique allows you to memorize information of any complexity.

Mnemonics is a way of developing memory that makes it easier to memorize information. Mnemonic techniques expand memory, facilitating the development of brain activity. Based on several principles:

  • the human brain processes information about a real and a fictitious image equally;
  • the chain of associations is real and fictional. The latter are the essence of mnemonics.

Together with this term, the concept of "mnemonics" is encountered. They are related.

There are the following types of mnemonics:

  • classical. It arose from the dream of oratory to make it easier to memorize long sayings. Information was transformed into images - in some the information was encrypted, in the second - the sequence was recorded;
  • pedagogical. Typical for schoolchildren and students. Essence - natural memorization through rewriting, memorization and repetition;
  • circus - intonation, facial expressions, gestures. Essence - the art of transmitting and decoding encoded information;
  • sports - memorizing numbers;
  • modern. Mnemonic methods are carefully worked out and combined into a kind of system aimed at solving a highly specialized problem.

Everyone has a mnemonic memory, but it must be mastered. Supernatural abilities are not needed for this. The principle of operation of this technique is based on the ability of memory to fix a vivid visual and auditory image faster than an abstract concept.

Tips for beginners:

  • choose the method of memorization that is most suitable and appropriate for your type of thinking;
  • transform information into images;
  • exercise regularly to achieve results;
  • there should be absolute silence during training.

Basic principles of mnemonics:

  • comprehension - comprehending the incoming information, a person will remember it for a long time;
  • interest - if the information is interesting, it will be remembered faster;
  • previous knowledge - if you have knowledge on a specific issue, new information will be easier to remember;
  • readiness - the information that the person tuned in is remembered;
  • associations - increase the chances to remember the material and reproduce it;
  • repetition - the lesson passed is repeated, but not often;
  • inhibition - pause before learning new material;
  • sequence - facts are memorized in the order in which they were studied.

After mastering mnemonics, you will use it for the rest of your life.

In order for the mnemotic memory to retain words or numbers for a long time, facts and objects are replaced with terms with a visual representation. That is, boring facts are replaced by bright ones. Special mnemonic techniques will help in this.

Basic techniques

Mnemonics and ways of developing memory allow you to better assimilate new material. Mnemonic techniques are such an approach to understanding information, thanks to which more information is remembered, and the percentage of forgetting is minimized. Techniques are used in the study of foreign languages, concepts, historical dates, numbers.

Memorization is based on associations. To memorize a new word, relate it to something, make an associative connection. How to create an association:

  • come up with the first thing that comes to mind;
  • the association should be funny, unusual;
  • the image should be large, voluminous, colorful - use all the senses;
  • the association must be illogical;
  • the image should touch you.

For example, you need to memorize the words "cavalry" and "attic". Imagine that you went up to the attic and saw the cavalry there, the soldiers were sitting on the horses. Do you look at them and think what they are doing here? They answer you: what have we really forgotten here? And fly out the window.

The next technique is "chain". Imagine an image and connect it to the next one. For example, let's say you come to the store for cheese, powder and a light bulb. Imagine a large package of powder. A lamp flies into it, and the powder scatters on the floor. Cheese and the like are strung on the lamp.

"Roman Room". Let's say you need to memorize words - sausage, horse, mayonnaise, scrap, egg, blanket, fish, notebook. Engage unusual connections, starting in the hallway. It will turn out: close the crack in the lock with sausage, put the horse in the corner, smear the mirror with mayonnaise, prop the door with a crowbar, screw the egg into the chandelier instead of the light bulb, put a blanket in front of the door instead of the rug. When a person opens the door, he will see that the fish is lying on the sofa and writing in a notebook.

"Alphanumeric code" is suitable for memorizing numbers, phone numbers, mathematical calculations. Each number is assigned a letter - words, expressions, stories are composed. Let's take numbers from 0 to 5:

  • 0 - zero - n;
  • 1 - times - p;
  • 2 - d;
  • 3 - t;
  • 4 - h;
  • 5 –p.

Now a word is selected for each letter and a story is invented.

"Rhymes" - a technique in which you come up with a pair of words or a short verse containing memorized material. The method is also suitable for rhyming numbers:

  • 0 - mol, salt, beans;
  • 1 - damn it, sir;
  • 2 - words, grass;
  • 3 - bubbles, give;
  • 4 - wider, in the world;
  • 5 - again, yawn, walk;
  • 6 - sit down, revenge;
  • 7 - why, harem;
  • 8 - we ask, we wear;
  • 9 - do, sow.

From the list of selected words, choose one and remember for a specific number.

"Consonance" - a technique that consists in the selection of the same word. Suitable for learning foreign languages. To memorize a foreign word, a Russian is selected, similar to it in sound. For example, "look" is like "bow". Using this technique, a person memorizes up to 60 words in 1 hour.

"Hanger" is a technique, the essence of which is to come up with a consonant series for each word. After that, they make up a story. For example, one is the master, two is the head.

"Combining image and numbers" - a method dedicated to the form of writing numbers. One is like a pencil or stick, zero is the sun. Then an interesting story is compiled.

"Method of Cicero". Elements are tied to the room environment in which a person is often found. Let's say a child has to learn the sequence in which the respiratory organs are located. Pictures are hung in a conspicuous place, the child walks by and sees them. The images are removed, the child reconstructs them through topological associations.

Total

Most people, when looking at an associative chain, find it difficult. To memorize a date or numbers, you have to write a story. At first, the procedure seems time-consuming, since it requires the use of imagination. After a few workouts, memorization will become easier.

Still not believing in mnemonic memory training? Try one of the methods. The information studied by mnemonic techniques is not forgotten, but is stored in the memory for a long time. You will see, the result will surprise you!

The human brain uses only 10% of its capabilities, the rest of the brain's potential remains unused. The person who has good memory and who can memorize a huge amount of incoherent information, does not use any secrets to reveal the remaining 90% of the brain's abilities.

Practical application of mnemonics

It is enough to train your memory for 15-20 minutes daily. Use proven memorization techniques.

The modern world of computer technology and information requires a huge amount of memorization of accurate information. These can be e-mail passwords, program or file numeric code. In this case, it is simply necessary to accurately memorize and reproduce numerical and alphabetic information.

It also requires memorizing poems and texts according to the school literary curriculum. Poems are a good training for memory, increase the vocabulary of rhymed words, develop creativity.

Having a trained memory, you can learn more than one foreign language in a short time.

Mnemonic techniques will allow you to double the volume of new foreign words. Having studied English, you can easily use it as a matrix for memorizing words in German or another language.

Some information about the memory mechanism itself

Human memory has well-studied boundaries. Psychologists have found that memory is divided into operational, long-term and short-term. From the sensory receptors of perception (vision, hearing), an imprint of the real world enters the short-term memory. With the help of focused attention, information is imprinted, recognized and compared in RAM. In RAM, as in short-term memory, a limited number of elements is retained, seven plus or minus two elements for 30 seconds.

Then the information is encoded into cognitive structures (meaning) or recoded and sent to long-term memory, where it is stored for the whole life.

The better and more efficient the coding of information, the longer it is remembered and the faster it is retrieved from this repository. Content short-term memory is constantly changing, new elements are replacing old ones. Temporary erasure of already processed information in the course of thinking is a protective function of the brain against constantly incoming sensory stimuli from the outside world.

If it were not for the erasure of old traces of information, the brain would be greatly overloaded. And for this reason, the amount of memory never changes. Sometimes there is an overlay of one information on another, and the information is mixed, for example, when browsing without interruption different texts... In this case, memorization errors may occur. The lack of use of this or that memorized information leads to its absolute erasure. Often, mentally repeating it on the contrary leads to constant stimulation of the corresponding neural connections in the brain.

There are various techniques of mnemonics that make it possible to effectively use all the possibilities of memory.

School memorization techniques teaching material were based on multiple repetition. This mechanical memorization was time consuming with poor results. And incomplete understanding of the material led to the fact that it was quickly destroyed and erased in memory. Therefore, one of the rules of strong memorization is the comprehension of the memorized information.

The rapid assimilation of new information is facilitated by already familiar information that has something to do with it. For example, if a person is studying medicine or psychology, then new information about diseases or mental disorders will fall into the same context nearby. Information is assimilated into the same memory cells as previously acquired knowledge.

Such a rapid assimilation of new information is due to the fact that in our consciousness there are already ready-made generalizations - concepts, the necessary set of associations, on which others are strung.

It is necessary to clearly systematize your memory training classes. If you are studying a foreign language, repeated classes should not be with a large gap in time. If you study once for two days in a row, and then rest for five days, then new information will be forgotten and erased from memory faster than new information will be gained. Thus, the level of memory development will remain low. Therefore, you need to practice every day for 15-20 minutes.

For a better understanding of the information, try to organize it into a logical structure like a tree. More general knowledge (word, concept) can be used as a tree trunk, and further from it, according to the principle of branches, to augment more specific ones. If you are learning words, try to combine them into one semantic field. Or by the degree of abstractness (for example, the date of foundation of Vologda is 1147 - Vologda, foundation, date, 11 47).

The natural language of our consciousness

Any symbolic language (language of mathematics, language of native speech) is an artificially created communication system. A child who does not know how to read and write until some time remembers everything with the help of pictures - images. Therefore, the most natural for human consciousness is the image. This is the very immediate code to remember.

Our consciousness perceives all information in a figurative form. The image of objects, numbers, words appears in our consciousness much faster than conceptual structures and thinking are included. A retained image in memory for any stimulus, without observing the most real object, is called submission.

Thus, memorization mnemonics are aimed at:

  • maximum development of imaginative thinking;
  • the creation of stable supporting associations;
  • an increase in the time of concentration of consciousness (attention).

With Wikium, you can organize the training process in the basics of mnemonics according to an individual program

Attention training

Exercise 1.
Bring the palms of your hands together, leaving a distance of 1 centimeter between them. After a while, a sensation of warmth appears between the palms. Try to concentrate on this sensation, stopping the flow of thoughts. Don't think about anything at this point.

Exercise 2.
Exercise attention with breathing. Sit back in the chair. Breathing should be even and calm. Then try to follow the rhythm of your breathing. Slowly observe the moment of inhalation, exhalation.

Exercise 3.
Another method helps in training attention. You need to concentrate on your entire body image. Walk mentally over the body: how the hands lie and are relaxed, what sensations are in the legs. Try to feel the warmth of your body from head to toe.

Image manipulation. Basic techniques of mnemonics

The basic techniques of mnemonics are based on the visualization of memorized information. When reading, in order to remember the entire text, try to translate each word into a picture in your imagination. With the help of mental actions, try to consider the resulting image from all sides. For example, imagine a book. Turn it over mentally. Consider what color it is, by thickness.

Visual images can be connected with each other. The connection between them is remembered by the brain, and if necessary, remember the entire chain of images, it is enough to remember one of the key ones. In this case, the brain will give out all the material remembered in the images for the stimulus.

Reception overlay images

There is a technique for creating a matrix by imposing images. A link is created that allows you to remember the weak connections between the stimulus and the memorized information. This mnemonic technique is used to learn foreign words. In this case, images of different modalities are superimposed - visual and acoustic.

Reception of increasing and decreasing images

It is necessary to take a more complex image and put a simpler one there. A complex image can be reduced if necessary. For example, imagine a thermometer, consider it in detail: divisions, numbers, a mercury column. We increase the mercury column and you can hang a bucket on it. Then roll all the small parts back to their normal size.

Reception of transformation of images

Imaginary objects can also be transformed. Thicken, lengthen. Add different details. This is necessary in order to be able to reuse them.

Creation of artificial associations

Connect several different images into one picture, which can be remembered as one element. At the same time, you can connect from 3 to 5 images together.

Natural associations

Natural associations are created by the brain in everyday life. All objects that we see in our environment already create a certain connection with each other. The setting of a well-studied room, or the well-known path from home to work through the park, can become a supporting association for memorizing the necessary information, stringing it onto furnishings. To reproduce this information, you need to remember a familiar area or room.

Symbolization

Symbolization is a technique for memorizing abstract words that are difficult to visualize. Use well-known symbols:

  • the symbol of peace is a dove;
  • the symbol of death is a skull;
  • etc.

You can use loose association to create symbols. Further, you can use a generalized image (symbol) to string together smaller and more specific associations, increasing the semantic field.

Memorizing numerical information

For this, a ready-made matrix of images is prepared in advance. Which will correspond to the numbers. For example:

  • 1 - card;
  • 2 - glass;
  • 3 - bird.

But it is more effective to use their graphic image and similarity with other objects to indicate numbers. Let's say:

  • 0 - can be designated as a clock, a globe, which has a round outline resembling this number.
  • 1 - candle, pencil, nail;
  • 2 - a swan, a chess horse;
  • etc.

Eidetica

From the word "eidos" - an image. This memorization technique is based not only on the figurative perception of the world, as in childhood, but also on the attachment of mental material. The child has more developed curiosity and a sense of surprise at everything new. Therefore, it is especially new and interesting information most of all stimulates neural connections.

Events that are accompanied by a feeling of joy are remembered most vividly. Therefore, strive to make your associations as interesting as possible.

It is advisable, based on the memorized material (for example, numbers), to come up with unusual story that brings all artificial associations together.

When memorizing foreign words, try to imagine how this word makes you feel. The sound of this word. The child remembers all the surrounding information with emotions, internal sensations, and not logic. Getting positive emotions from images is reflected at the chemical level by the release of the hormone of pleasure (endorphin). The material is fixed in the structure of the brain.

You can supplement your imagination with a drawing by drawing what the poem is talking about.

Complex and long words and numbers need to be analytically dissected. Two-digit numbers can be added, getting a new number - a code for storing numbers in memory. For example, in order to remember the foreign word spring, you can break it down into sp - ring, it turns out that the word “spring” also contains the word “ring”. To memorize the number 315, you can get a new number 3 + 1 + 5 = 9, so you need to remember not three numbers, but one.

In general, the use of mnemonics at first will be some additional mental work for you, but this is exactly what you need - in the end you will form those mental images that you can successfully memorize. Over time and with the improvement of skills, the use of mnemonics will be easy, and the result will be more guaranteed. As we noted above, regular training is the key to success. Train for success.

Why, having a good memory, do we find it difficult to remember numbers, phone numbers and especially dates? This is fixable. Mnemonics will help, which will be discussed in our article.

Mnemonics - what is it?

Let's talk a little about mnemonics first. From Greek it means "the art of memorization." It is a set of methodologies and rules that are aimed at improving memory performance. They help organize information coming to the brain, creating associative pictures.

Memorization of numbers and complex words occurs by transforming them into some colorful images, thanks to this, the information is firmly fixed in our consciousness. Mnemonics is nothing more than the implementation of mnemonics in practice. This is a set of techniques that help to remember large amounts of information.

Anyone can master mnemonics at any age. To do this, you do not need to have superpowers and special knowledge. Everything will depend only on how much time you are willing to devote to this.

Types of mnemonics

Consider them:

  1. People's. Widespread mnemonics. This is not a specific memorization system, these are some techniques that are used by people unconsciously. Indirectly, we were taught to apply them in kindergarten and school. Of course, their effectiveness is low, has no scientific basis and no rigorous system.
  2. Classic. It was used in ancient times to memorize long oratorical speeches. The set of techniques in this direction is small. The best example of classical mnemonics will be the "Cicero" method, which we will consider below and the "Hanger".
  3. Pedagogical. Unlike the classic, it does not use it as a basis, thanks to which it has become understandable and accessible to most people. Here the emphasis is placed on natural memorization through enhanced experience of the material being studied. This is nothing more than multiple reading of texts, in other words, cramming, note-taking, sketching book illustrations. A familiar learning process. In the 16th century, this mnemonic technique triumphed over the classical one. The methods are first used to this day in modern system education.
  4. Circus, or as it is also called "pop" mnemonics. Uses the principles of the classical. Distinctive feature in a special coding of information, which is encrypted everywhere in facial expressions and gestures, voice intonation. The main thing is not even memorization itself, but the transfer of the code from the assistant to the performer different ways... It turns out that only part of the mnemonic means is used.
  5. Sports. It is about mnemonic competitions. They compete on two criteria: the speed of memorization and the amount of information memorized once.
  6. Modern mnemonics. It is supported by the presence of a theoretical basis. The existing techniques based on the theory are being finalized and combined into a specific memorization system, which will be aimed at solving a particular problem. Let's say there are sets of exercises for learning a foreign language. A good example will be the Giordano method, which allows you to remember clear, accurate information.

So, we briefly reviewed the types of mnemonics, let's start discussing the next issue.

How does it work?

So, mnemonics is like a memorization system. It's hard for us to keep in mind and reproduce the numbers, number series, word lists and so on, rather than logical, associative and other connections between these objects. It is by them that it is easier to find information in memory. And if there are no such connected threads, they must be created. This is what most of the techniques of mnemonics are working on.

How long can these encrypted objects be kept in our head? How much is required. The main thing is to reproduce them periodically.

Memory, like our body, requires constant to constantly work. The more it is loaded, the more efficient its performance. Mnemonics have been known since antiquity. The ancient Greeks noticed a direct relationship between memory and the senses. It was believed that the more emotions a person receives in the process of life, the brighter they will remember him. Therefore, when performing exercises for memorization, it is necessary to connect flash-associations.

Associations are the foundation. Only by learning to recreate the correct and strong images in your head, you can move on. Illegitimate and strange associations contribute to better memorization.

How do you create an association?

There are a few rules:

  1. The resulting image will help you remember information.
  2. The picture should be illogical, ridiculous and even meaningless. The more extraordinary situation arises in your head, the more it will crash into consciousness. If you manage to create a mental image of an object, this is the floor of success.
  3. Mnemonics for beginners will seem simple if you learn to recreate large, bright, detailed images. It is advisable to connect all your senses to this process.
  4. Let the association be funny, the first thing that could come to mind.
  5. Introduce yourself. For greater efficiency of memorization, bring the association into action.

For example, you need to memorize two words: "camel" and "sandbox". Imagine playing in a sandbox, making Easter cakes. And in the distance a camel is standing near the swing, chewing a thorn. And then he sat down next to him, putting his huge legs out to the sides to fit in a tiny sandbox. You look and think why there is a camel here, I came to the sandbox to pick up my son. What has he forgotten here? Suddenly the camel jumped and disappeared around the bend, and the child ran after the giant.

Therefore, in order for our memory to keep the information received for a long time, dry facts should be replaced with bright pictures. There are a lot of mnemonic techniques, we will talk about some of them in more detail below, and so, each has a number of characteristics:

  • Innovation. The bottom line is that it doesn't matter which technique you choose and what complexity, the main thing is that the exercise is new, and, therefore, the benefits will be greater. The goal is to get out of your comfort zone.
  • Difficulty level. It is necessary to choose such trainings, over which you need to make an effort, gain knowledge. For example, learn a new language.
  • Interest, without which you will not go far. And yet, it is necessary to take tasks with an increasing level of difficulty. It should be high, but not high enough to reveal your inability.

The result can only be achieved through regular training. So, we briefly covered the question of what it is - mnemonics, talked a little about the techniques, which we will return to later. Let's figure out how to learn mnemonics.

It does not matter whether it is mnemonics for beginners, or you have already mastered some of the basics, you need to know, in order to develop the memorization system, you need to use it more often. It's worth starting with simple tasks. If you need to learn how to memorize numbers, start with phone numbers, credit cards. Come up with long series of numbers, for example, a password for an account, and put protection, and train your memory.

If you want to memorize non-numerical information, you can use the book, just not fiction... Because mnemonics - what is it? This is a set of methods and techniques that allow you to memorize large amounts of information. And the novel, as you know, contains a plot with a logical sequence of related events. The presence of these connections makes it easy to assimilate the material. Better it be physics, chemistry or geography.

And some more tips for beginners on mnemonics:

  1. Choice of method. It is important to choose the right system that is most suitable for your type of thinking and perception.
  2. Selection of pictures and links. Some sources give unequivocal recommendations, for example, to present such and such objects, and what needs to be done with them. But, each person has an individuality and transforms the information received into images, based on personal experience using your associations. Therefore, you should not stop and despair, the recommendations given can serve as starting points.
  3. Repetition. A good result can be achieved through numerous, regular workouts. They need to be done every day, or at least three times a week. The experience gained must be consolidated, the skill must be brought to automatism, so that at any time it can be used without difficulty. Repeat different phrases. The memory needs to be shown that the saved objects are relevant and important to you, get out of it the material that you put there a long time ago.
  4. Calmness. It is necessary to train in complete silence. No, this can be done in the subway, but the main thing is that you can concentrate and abstract yourself from the world around you. At the initial stage of mastering a method, do not allow unwanted emotions, anger, stress, and so on to interfere with the process. Firstly, it will be difficult to understand whether it suits you, and secondly, in subsequent work, its use may be associated with these associations, which will interfere with the memorization process.

Fascinating, the main thing is to first decide on the goal for what you need developed memory: memorize numbers (phone numbers, passwords), to study a foreign language or jurisprudence.

When learning methods of mnemonics for beginners, main mistake it becomes an illusion that after a few workouts, many consider themselves professionals. At the right moment, the association does not work. This is all because there are few practical skills for memorizing information for a long time. It seems that the connection between the images turned out to be correct, but it did not work. You need to practice a lot and hard, and the methods of mnemonics will obey you step by step.

And what, in general, is mnemonics needed for?

First, mnemonics is self-education. We not only learn to memorize large amounts of information, it improves the functioning of the brain, this, secondly, thereby improving our memory. And thirdly, the constant use of techniques will allow you to include in the work and use:

  1. Attention. As you know, memory and attention are closely interrelated. Tracking connections between pictures, replacing objects with images trains attention and improves concentration on the actions performed.
  2. Creative thinking. Its development facilitates rapid analysis and decision making.
  3. Ability to visualize. The ability to draw images and associative pictures to them is a unique opportunity that helps to quickly memorize large amounts of information. And, in general, it changes life for the better, you look at it with different eyes.
  4. The imagination that mnemonics develops beautifully. You will notice how quickly you can find a solution, and your vision will be bright and non-standard, and it will seem difficult to others.

In general, mnemonics contributes to the fact that both hemispheres of the brain are included in the work, the left one is responsible for logic, the right one for imagination. Usually people use only one hemisphere, the left. Because they use a logical approach to solving the problem, and by connecting the right one, the capabilities of the brain are used much more widely, making the thinking process more effective.

Consider the basic techniques

They can be practiced every day and for absolutely everyone:

  1. Basic method "Chain", for memorizing a large number of objects. It's simple. Recommended for beginners in mnemonics. Let's say we need to remember a list of products to buy. What we do, represent vivid image and glue it mentally with another object, the same variegated, of the same size. Then these images are linked in pairs. When the connection has been formed, the first picture is removed from consciousness by transferring attention to the second. After that, there is a connection between the second and the third, and so on. When the chain is remembered, several images emerge in the mind at once.

For example, you need to buy chicken, eggs and millet. Introducing the hen hatching eggs. The chicks have hatched and are starting to peck the millet. And so on, a whole tower of images is being built. This way you can memorize up to a hundred names.

  1. Reception "Matryoshka". Here the images are connected in pairs. The first picture of the association is always larger and contains the second. Here, as in a nesting doll, one picture is placed in another, while a small element appears to us to be large and is connected to a part of a large object. When they are combined, we transfer attention to the smaller one, the other must disappear from consciousness. Then we mentally enlarge it and attach the third one. Etc. The images are embedded in each other. In this case, only two images should be clearly drawn.
  2. Reception "Symbolization". It is used to memorize abstract concepts. When encoding a certain image, you need to ask yourself the question of how you can imagine it. Let's say cold is associated with ice, summer with emerald grass, spring with a bouquet of tulips, and autumn with yellow maple leaves.

The difference between the techniques of mnemonics and cramming is that in the second case the information is remembered after reading and repeating it several times. Here, memorization occurs immediately, and then, adhering to a certain algorithm, the information obtained must be repeated.

It is now clear that mnemonics for the development of memory is effective method... Thanks to it, the memory not only improves, but also increases the reading speed, and information is absorbed faster.

What other mnemonics and ways of developing memory exist?

Let's talk about the "Cicero" method for memorizing textual information. He was so named in honor of the great historical figure, philosopher, politician, excellent lawyer, excellent orator, who at the end of his life became a consul. He made a huge contribution to the development of European culture. He was declared an enemy of the state and executed, but the memory of him remained forever.

Marcus Tullius Cicero possessed a unique memory, which he was glorified, was an excellent orator, and all his speeches he spoke without looking at the sheet, reproduced dates, numbers and many facts and names. He just used the techniques of mnemonics, which the ancient Greek poet Simonides used in practice.

First, let's define how the method works

It has another name, "Roman Room". The idea is that the images are tied to the familiar environment of the house, which arise in a certain sequence. Thanks to these associations, familiar interior items were easily reproduced in memory, to which they were attached, numbers, dates and names. This method is popular with beginners in mnemonics.

Principle of operation

This method of mnemonics is very interesting. There are certain rules of memorization:

  1. The interior of a room, study or the entire apartment is a matrix to which associations of objects that need to be remembered are tied. Here it is important to adhere to a certain sequence, for example, move clockwise or right side, if you imagine the path from home to work.
  2. Fixation of the matrix. It is necessary to walk mentally around the room several times in order to remember the clear arrangement of objects.
  3. Binding of information to certain objects of the matrix, for example, to the furnishings of a room or study.

There are some features that facilitate the memorization process using this method:

  1. Images should be attached to objects that are well lit.
  2. The real size of the object must be changed to the opposite, if the object is large, we represent it as small and vice versa.
  3. The combination of a familiar subject with a new image should be vibrant and dynamic. You can use an action trick or just turn on an imaginary speckled coloring.

Let's give an example of the "Cicero" method

As a starting point, we will use the interior of the room: door, corner, window, mirror, sofa. Words to remember: angel, rat, fire, old man, ax.

The association will look like this: I go to the door and see an angel blinding with light. I open the door, and a huge rat runs into the corner. I cast my gaze at the window, and fire engulfed it in flames. Then I see a mirror from which an old man is looking at me. I go to the sofa and start hitting him with an ax.

Popular mnemonics for adults and not only. Everyone can use it, it is effective and easy to use. The "Roman Room" will teach you to easily memorize information and reproduce it at any moment, no worse than the notorious speaker.

And in conclusion, I would like to note that you need to approach everything competently. There is a lot of literature on memorization methods, but the books mix up various, sometimes incompatible, techniques. It turns out a kind of fuss, in which no system can be traced. Another problem is the complete absence of theoretical background applied methods. Without theory, any practice will be ineffective. The terms "mnemonics" and "self-education" are identical, because by developing memory in different ways, we gain a lot of new knowledge. And you need to improve constantly.