Why you keep Forgetting? Insights from Albakio International

Everything you need to know about forgetting

In the world of education and child development, one concept that plays a significant role in understanding how students retain or lose information is the Forgetting Curve. Developed by German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus in the late 19th century, the forgetting curve demonstrates how newly learned information fades from memory over time if no effort is made to retain it.

At Albakio International, we think that everyone involved in the educational process parents, teachers, and others needs to comprehend this phenomenon. The forgetting curve will be examined from an educational perspective in this article, along with its implications for child psychology and workable strategies to assist kids and learners of all ages retain more of what they learn.

What is the Forgetting Curve?

The gradual decrease in memory retention over time is represented by the Forgetting Curve.

People usually lose up to 70% of freshly learnt material within 24 hours and around 50% during the first hour.”

Hermann Ebbinghaus

This rate of forgetting persists in the absence of reinforcement or review, leaving just 20–30% of the information after a few days or weeks.

Forgetting Curve in the Context of Child Psychology

It is especially clear in early childhood education that new ideas and abilities are quickly forgotten. Children are especially vulnerable to the forgetting curve’s impacts since their cognitive structures are still developing. Child psychology explains a few of the reasons why young learners could lose things more quickly:

  1. Cognitive Load: Children, especially in early years, have limited working memory capacity. If they are overwhelmed by too much information, it can be difficult for them to transfer knowledge to long-term memory.
  2. Attention Span: Children’s attention spans are typically shorter than those of adults. This means they may not focus long enough on new material for it to be properly encoded into their memory.
  3. Developmental Stage: Children in different developmental stages retain information differently. For example, very young children may need more frequent repetition and hands-on activities to encode information effectively.

Tips to Reduce the Forgetting Curve in Education

Just because we tend to forget things over time doesn’t mean we can’t do anything about it! There are proven ways to help students remember more. Teachers can use these simple strategies, backed by research in education and child psychology, to help students recall information more easily.

  1. Spaced Repetition

This technique helps you remember things by reviewing them at the right time. Instead of studying everything at once, you review it a little at a time, just before you might forget it. This helps solidify learning and makes it easier to recall later.

Educational Tip: Teachers can schedule brief review sessions during the course of a week or month. For young children, incorporating quick quizzes, flashcards, or games that revisit key concepts can be very effective.

  1. Active Learning and Engagement

Research in child psychology suggests that children learn best when they are actively engaged. Hands-on activities, group discussions, and problem-solving exercises encourage deeper learning.

When children can apply the concepts in different contexts, they form stronger connections, which helps in better retention.

Educational Tip: Educators should incorporate project-based learning, role-playing, or interactive experiments. Active learning also includes asking students to explain what they’ve learned, which reinforces memory retention.

  1. Elaborative Interrogation

Elaborative interrogation is a technique where learners are encouraged to ask and answer “why” questions about the material. This encourages deeper thinking and helps children relate new knowledge to existing knowledge, making it easier to remember.

Educational Tip: Encourage students to explain why a particular fact or concept is true. For example, after teaching a lesson on plants, ask why plants need sunlight to grow. This encourages the child to reflect on and internalize the concept.

  1. Frequent Testing and Quizzes

Regular low-stakes testing has been shown to improve memory retention. The very act of recalling information strengthens the memory traces. This is often referred to as the testing effect.

Educational Tip Teachers can incorporate frequent, short quizzes or informal knowledge checks during lessons. These don’t have to be stressful or high-pressure; they can be designed as fun games or group activities to make learning enjoyable.

        5. Mnemonics and Visual Aids

Mnemonics and visual aids are particularly helpful for children who are visual or auditory learners. Associating information with images, sounds, or easy-to-remember phrases makes recall easier.

Educational Tip: Use mnemonic devices, such as acronyms or rhymes, and visual aids, such as charts, posters, or mind maps, to make information more memorable.

        6. Relating New Information to Prior Knowledge

Connecting new information to what the child already knows helps in creating stronger memory links. This strategy, known as scaffolding, allows children to build on their existing knowledge base, making it easier to remember new material.

Educational Tip: Before introducing a new topic, teachers can review related concepts or ask children what they already know about the subject. This creates a foundation on which new information can be layered.

Conclusion

Although there is a natural forgetting curve associated with learning, there are numerous strategies teachers can use to support students’ long-term comprehension and knowledge retention. Teachers may assist students prevent memory loss and make sure they retain what they learn by using techniques like spaced repetition, active learning, frequent testing, and mnemonics.

At Albakio International, we prioritize effective learning techniques in our publications. To ensure a comprehensive understanding, we incorporate the following strategies:

1. Pre-Reading Review: We revisit key concepts before diving into new material.

2. Active Learning During Reading: Our “Activity Time” feature encourages engagement and checks understanding while reading.

3. Post-Chapter Summary: After completing each chapter, we provide a concise summary to reinforce learning and retention.

By integrating these techniques, our books offer a structured and engaging learning experience.

 

 

 

Afreen Khurram, a dedicated professional holding a Bachelor’s degree in Optometry (BS-OP) and certified by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) in Allied Health Sciences is passionate about child psychology and cognitive development. This article on the forgetting curve highlights her dedication to blending scientific knowledge with practical insights, offering valuable guidance for parents, educators, and healthcare professionals.

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