Body-pegs memory system

Body-pegs memory technique

In order to use this system, you must learn the 20 "body-pegs" shown on the diagram.

This may take about 10 minutes but will prove to be really useful.

You will notice that points numbered 1 to 9 start at the fingers of one hand, go up the arm, over the head and down to the fingers of the other hand. Points 10 to 20 start at the eyes and move down the body to the feet. You should practice until you are able to point to all 20 "body-pegs" without hesitation.

1 = Fingers of right hand

2 = Palm of right hand

3 = Right elbow

4 = Right shoulder

5 = Head

6 = Left shoulder

7 = Left elbow

8 = Palm of left hand

9 = Fingers of left hand

10= Eyes

11= Nose

12= Mouth

13= Ears

14= Chest

15= Tummy

16= Behind

17= Right knee

18= Left knee

19= Right foot

20= Left foot

HOW TO USE THE SYSTEM

The principle of the system is that you "attach" one key-word to each body-peg in turn (preferably with a memorable action). When you need to recall your list of key-words, your body (and the actions you have associated with each key-word) acts as a memory-aid.

First of all, you need to identify your list of key-words. This will usually contain from 5 to 15 main points to remember. If it contains more than 20, there is no need to worry: you could group a few of them together at a single body-peg - or you can use all 20 body-pegs then start again at number 1.

EXAMPLE

Let us suppose that the following list of 20 items are your key-words. You could make the following associations

	BODY-PEG	ITEM	ASSOCIATION
1	Right fingers	Sandwich	Snap your right hand fingers at an imaginary waiter and call for a sandwich.
2	Palm right hand	Apple	Hold an imaginary apple in the palm of your right hand and take a huge bite.
3	Right elbow	Watering can	Water the garden - using exaggerated elbow movements.
4	Right shoulder	Owl	Instead of a parrot - you have an owl (!) perched on your shoulder!
5	Head	Football	Head a football - and score a goal!
6	Left Shoulder	Towel	Wipe yourself with a towel and then throw it onto your shoulder.
7	Left elbow	Mobile 'phone	Hold a mobile 'phone to your left ear - and stick your elbow out in an exaggerated way.
8	Palm left hand	Door handle	Take hold of a huge, rusty, metal door handle in the palm of your hand and turn it slowly with a creaking noise.
9	Left fingers	Car-keys	Hold car-keys between finger and thumb - turn them to start the car.
10	Eyes	The Sun	Squint your eyes against the glare of the sun.
11	Nose	Pen	Stick an imaginary (!) pen through the septum (middle part) of your nose.
12	Mouth	Sausage	Put a sausage into your mouth - sideways!
13	Ears	Safety pin	Pretend to pierce your ear with a safety pin.
14	Chest	Drawing pin	Pretend to stick a drawing pin into your chest.
15	Tummy	The Earth	Push your belly forward so that it is as huge as the Earth.
16	Behind	Carrier bag	It could be an ASDA carrier bag - and their advertising campaign is to tap your back pocket twice.
17	Right knee	Glass of wine	Balance a glass of wine on your knee as you stand on one leg.
18	Left knee	Bottle	Balance a bottle on the other knee.
19	Right foot	Hedgehog	Oops! You just trod on a hedgehog!
20	Left foot	Cat	A lucky black cat rubs up against your leg, purring loudly.

Next memory page = Sticky notes