Pause for Thought: Can You Remember?

What special memories do we have?

by Rebecca Parkinson

Suitable for Whole School (Pri)

Aims

To consider the importance of our memories.

Preparation and materials

• You will need the PowerPoint slide that accompanies this assembly (Can You Remember?) and the means to display it.

Assembly

1. Ask the children whether they have any favourite memories.
   
   The memories may be happy, scary, sad or exciting, such as holidays, days out, presents received and people they have met.
   
   Explain that you want the children to think of special memories, things that they have remembered for a long time or like to think about often.
   
   
2. Explain that it is good to remember things that have happened. As we get older, memories become more and more special. If possible, share with the children one or two special memories you have from when you were a child.
   
   
3. Explain that you are going to show a PowerPoint slide for one minute. You want the children to look at the items shown and try to memorize them. At the end of one minute, you will switch off the slide and you want the children to list as many of the objects as possible!
   
   Show the PowerPoint slide.
   
   
4. Explain that sometimes, we forget things that have happened in the past, but then something jogs our memories and reminds us of it.
   
   Ask the children if they have ever visited somewhere and brought a souvenir back with them. Explain that it can be good to have an object that reminds us of a particular place or happy event.
   
   If possible, show the children an object (or play them a piece of music) that holds a happy memory for you. It may be something that somebody gave you, a photograph, a letter or a souvenir.

Time for reflection

Ask the children to think for a moment about a special memory that they have.

Ask them to think about the people involved in that memory and to be thankful for them.

You may wish to use the following prayer.

Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you for people who have given us special memories,
And for places we have been and things that we have seen
That make us happy when we think of them.
Please help us to do things for other people
That make them smile when they remember what we have done.
Amen.

Song/music

‘You’ve got a friend in me’ from the film Toy Story, available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNi02gxTI1M (2.04 minutes long)

‘Memories’ by Maroon 5, covered by One Voice Children’s Choir, available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB6yjGVuzVo (3.41 minutes long)

Extension activities

1. Think of a special memory that you have and draw a picture of it.
2. Why not test your memory with some fun memory games at: https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/15-amazing-memory-games-for-kids/ and https://www.learninggamesforkids.com/memory-games.html