Memory is a fascinating part of how we learn and remember things! There are two types of memory systems that help us: short-term memory (STM) and long-term memory (LTM). Each one plays a different role in how we take in information and keep it in our minds.

Short-term Memory (STM):

• How long it lasts: Short-term memory can hold onto information for about 20 to 30 seconds.
• How much it can hold: People often say STM can remember about 7 items at a time, give or take a couple.
• What it does: STM is really important for tasks we need to do right away, like remembering a phone number just long enough to dial it.
• Ways to train it: One helpful method is called "chunking." This means putting pieces of information together to make them easier to remember. For example, if you chunk information, you might remember up to 50% more!

Long-term Memory (LTM):

• How long it lasts: Long-term memory can keep information forever, maybe even for your whole life.
• How much it can hold: There is almost no limit to how much LTM can store, which means you can remember loads of information.
• What it does: LTM is key for keeping knowledge, personal stories, and things we’ve learned to do.
• Ways to train it: A good method for LTM is called "spaced repetition." This means reviewing information several times with breaks in between. Studies show that this can help you remember things up to 80% better than if you cram all at once.

Interesting Fact:

• Did you know that about 90% of new information is forgotten within just one week if we don’t go over it again?
• If a memory training program uses both STM and LTM techniques, it can improve how much you remember for the long term by about 60% compared to only using STM methods.

Knowing the differences between short-term and long-term memory helps in creating better ways to train our memory skills. This way, we can learn to remember more effectively!