When we look at the differences between long-term and short-term memory, it’s really interesting to see how our brain works like a library.

Short-Term Memory:

• Think of short-term memory as the brain's quick helper. It can hold a small amount of information—usually around 7 things, give or take a couple.
• For example, when you try to remember a phone number just long enough to call it, you use short-term memory.
• However, this memory doesn’t last long. It usually sticks around for about 20 to 30 seconds unless we try to remember it by repeating it.

Long-Term Memory:

• On the other hand, long-term memory is like a huge storage room filled with experiences, facts, and skills.
• Unlike short-term memory, long-term memory can hold a lot more information.
• This is where our important moments and learned skills stay for a long time. Some things can even last a lifetime, like memories from childhood or languages we learn.

How Our Memory Works:

1. Encoding: This is the first step. To move information from short-term to long-term memory, we need to encode it well.

   • This can mean making connections, like linking new information to things we already know, or using tricks to remember things better.

2. Consolidation: Once we make memories, we need to stabilize them. This process, called consolidation, often happens while we sleep.

   • It’s like our brain organizing memories so we can find them easily later.

3. Retrieval: Finally, retrieving memories is how we access stored information.

   • Short-term memories are easy to get back right away, but long-term memories might need some hints or context to remember.

In short, the way these parts of memory work together shows just how important both types of memory are for how we think and learn.