Heart-based right brain enrichment programs and early learning centers

By a Teacher

The Memory Zoo is a fun game that we play to foster photographic memory.

A zoo is a place full of animals, but a Memory Zoo is a mat full of objects to memorize at one quick glance.

The term "zoo" implies a fun time, and that's exactly what we have! But, one day in the classroom, nine-year-old Maria was getting a little frustrated with the game.

We had presented eight objects and she could only remember five. Her little six-year-old sister, meanwhile, was up to 18 items. (She had the lesson before.) The air of competition and hurt feelings had blocked the flow.

"Let's do another activity," her mother suggested.

So we got onto our magic carpets and settled back into a mental imaging journey. Away we went to distant lands where she could explore castles and become a princess of her very own country.

When we came back to the classroom, I had Maria image that princess in the classroom.

I described the princess as being excited -- so much so that she was skipping around the classroom. She was even hopping up and down for joy. Why? On the floor was a mat jam-packed full of little objects and she had remembered them all!

I had the princess turn around and show Maria her face.

"Do you see who it is?" her mother asked.

"That's me!" Her whole face shone with a wide smile.

"Okay, now keep your eyes closed," I instructed. "I have a surprise."

As she smiled and waited, I dumped out my entire object bag out onto the floor. There were over 100 objects. I scattered them so that although close together, every item could be plainly seen.

"Okay, now open your eyes, count to three and close them again."

She opened her eyes, scanned the floor and closed them.

"Table, can, peach, jump rope, tie, rabbit, yo-yo, parrot, hat, mop..." she began to trail off.

Then she said slowly, "Apple, pencil, paper clip."

Another pause. "House."

"Panda bear, leaf, flower."

"Zebra, cup."

"Rainbow."

After a long pause she said, "Car?"

Then she shook her head and said, "That's all I can remember."

"Maria! You remembered 21 objects!"

She opened her eyes in half-disbelief. "I did? I really did?"

She leaped up raised her arms. "I did it! I did it!" she cried.

"So, why aren't you skipping and hopping, Princess Maria?" her mother teased.

She shared a good laugh and a hug.