The same kind of practice can be gotten by the use of lists of animals, and at the same time another result may be attained. The child must learn just what the animal looks like before he can picture it. In learning these animal lists use the dictionary or encyclopedia, or better still, good books on natural history, and show the child the picture of each animal with which he is not familiar. Teach him all that you can regarding each of these different animals. He will then be able to picture them clearly and retain and recall them without difficulty. Memory Exercise Dog Wolf Mule Lamb Lion Camel Giraffe Bear Alligator Sheep Cat Pony Deer Tiger Colt Memory Exercise Rabbit Beaver Frog Muskrat Badger Mouse Mink Mole Chipmunk Skunk Squirrel Rat Fox Coyote Possum The Law of Association The first requirement of memory is to make a strong impression upon the brain, and this we have seen is accomplished by visualization. We concentrate the strongest of our senses upon the thing we wish to remember and thus make the strongest impression. The second necessary step is the ability to recall the impression at will. This is equally important in memory and is made possible by the Law of Association. Prof. Kay states that, "Association is the means by which what is in the memory is recalled and brought again before consciousness." Things which are impressed upon the mind, or which are active in the mind at the same time, will return together, one will suggest or recall the other. A voice, a sound, a sight will often recall a long train of events. One event will recall another that took place at the same time, or in the same place, or one similar in detail. These associations are easily formed though you may be unconscious of the fact at the time. When one of the associated facts is in your mind it becomes the means by which the other is brought again into your consciousness. The visual picture is the strongest impression that can be made upon the brain, but to be able to recall a new impression at will, it should be linked or associated with some already familiar picture which is easily recalled, and this will bring the associated impression with it. In the visual exercise in which a list of words was learned, beginning with House, this principle was used. The strong impression was made upon the brain by seeing the House. You also made a strong impression of the Clock, by seeing it, but in order to remember that the word Clock follows the word House the two were associated together by seeing them in the same picture. This is an example of two things impressed upon the mind at the same time. When you see the House it brings the Clock into mind. If you wish to recall what word follows House see the House, and the picture association will supply the second object.