Remembering things through their association with particular pieces of music
Music is generally designed to be easy to remember – it is highly patterned and usually very repetitive.
At the same time, having no literal meaning of its own, music readily associates itself with other memories.
These can be tagged in the mind with strong emotional responses.
So encourage parents to use particular pieces of music (perhaps recorded on notable occasions) to trigger the memories that are associated with them: a birthday party, for example, or a holiday or concert.
Using music in memory books
Encourage parents to create memory books for particular periods in a child’s life, events or occasions.
The books, which may use different media such as braille and the tactile representation of activities, places and people, can also include recordings of sounds including music.
Show parents how to make recordings using the small digital devices attached to the book.
Suggest to parents that it can be helpful to include an account of the particular significance of a piece of music so that future carers, teachers and therapists can prompt their child to remember things.
Song writing
Help the child to make up songs about particularly important or enjoyable occasions.
These could be recent or remembered from the past; creating a narrative using words and music may help revive, clarify and fix memories in the mind.
Involve family members and friends as seems appropriate.
Record the songs to assist with future recollection.