Visual memory is only one aspect of visual perception and is the ability to remember what is seen. Visual memory is an important part of building pre-reading skills. Without good visual memory, a child would struggle to form letters or learn to read by recognizing the shapes of familiar letters and words.

Visual memory

Visual memory refers to the ability to recall and retain past information in the mind of an individual.

It happens through a mental processes that allow to see the visual environment, organize them in the form of retrievable memory. We use visual memory for many tasks in daily life; visual memory problems can affect children’s ability to function.

Visual sequential memory is the ability to remember letters, numbers or objects in the order in which they are given. Visual sequential memory is very important for school going children as they play a major role in writing skills. Without good visual memory, a child would struggle to form letters or learn to read by recognizing the shapes of familiar letters and words.
Occupational therapy can help pre-schoolers develop visual memory through various activities. Few activities which help the child improve visual sequential memory are added below.

• Ask the child to copy patterns using beads, pegs, blocks, letters or numbers. After several attempts of copying have them recreate the pattern themselves or ask them to fill the missed sequence.
• Play memory games. For example, ask the child to describe objects or pictures after they have been removed.
• Play “Name the object game” Have them guess objects within the environment based on your verbal descriptions. Encourage them to recollect the recollect visual images regarding the environment.
• Play the game “Find the odd one.” Place three objects on the table. Ask the child to close their eyes and while you replace one object, ask the child which one is different.
• Ask questions throughout the day like, “What did you have for lunch today?” or “What game did you play at free time today?”
• Story telling using picture books. Ask them to follow the sequence of the events.
• Shape building activities by copying and recollecting.

VISUAL MEMORY SHAPE BUILDING ACTIVITY

We used our dyed lollipop sticks to build shapes.  Make a shape example and have your child copy the form.  You can grade the activity as more difficult by removing the example and having the child build the shape using their “mind’s eye”.  Assistance can be provided by giving visual or verbal prompts to assist with building simple shapes.  Further extend this visual memory activity by engaging colors and building the shapes with all one color.  Then introduce shape forms with patterning or random colors.  Once the child demonstrates succeeds with shape copying, encourage letter and number building using the lollipop sticks.  This simple activity can be extended in so many ways to help work on visual memory!

MORE ACTIVITIES TO HELP WITH VISUAL MEMORY DEFICITS:

• Memory Games
• Concentration games
• Spy games
• Books
• Encourage the child to recall the items to be found using visual memory.
• Form copying games, such as pixy cubs
• Shape sequencing games, like mental blox