Visual memory is another one of those skills that’s important for reading and writing. And visual memory is based on visualizing, seeing something in your mind’s eye. To help your child visualize use lots of words. I know that seems contradictory. After all, to help someone with visual skills it makes sense to use visual material. But in this case, the intention is to encourage your child to make up his or her own mind pictures. Since it’s May, we’ll go with monsters.
First, describe your monster to your child. For example, I see a monster that’s round and green with 1 big eye and 1 little eye. He has a big smile with 2 yellow teeth, 1 big tooth on the top and 1 little tooth on the bottom. He has 1 foot with 3 toes.
Now, ask your child to think of a monster and describe it to you. Encourage lots of details, colors, shapes, etc. Commonly, when people are creating a visual image, their eyes move up and to their right. When accessing a visual memory eyes move up and to the left. Making mind pictures is an activity that can be done anywhere and anytime and will make learning tasks a great deal easier for your child. It can also fill desperate moments and give kid-monsters something to do. Is visualizing an easy or challenging activity for your mon…er, I mean, munchkin?