Question Details
I find it hard to remember names, and now I have a class full of students! Help!
Answer
Children are often creatures of habit, so you may find that they tend to sit in the same place in the classroom each day. If they do, you might want to draw up a seating plan and note the children into it as you find out their names.
Games can be a great way of learning names, and can also help to introduce students to each other. Maybe roll or throw a ball or soft toy and have a student call their name as they catch it. Or once everyone has called their name, have students throw it to each other and call the name of the student they are throwing to. That can help you as well as the students!
Maybe have students make a paper ‘profile page’ with their name and then drawings of their family, pets, interests etc. It helps you learn a bit about them, and add detail to who they are. They could keep it in their place for a day, so that you can keep checking for the name.
I always ensure I have a list of names printed out ready for the first day (ideally I print the names out alongside their photos if this is an option available to you). Next to their name and photo, I ensure I have a box large enough to write some key things about them that will help me remember their name. E.g. the name of their pets, a funny story they shared, their favourite flavour ice-cream. Personally, having something to associate with the name helps me to embed their name in my memory! I make a point of speaking to each child one-to-one on their first day and carry the page with me so that I can make some jottings as I go.
Try to play some games on the first day that facilitate both you and the children learning each other’s names. You could try ‘Name Toss’ or ‘Swap Shop’.Repeat the game for a short period each day throughout the week and you will now everyone’s names in no time!
Depending on the age of the student, give them a card with an object written or pictured on it. They then think about how to act out that object in some way (either being that object, or using that object). They take turns, when it is their turn, they shout out their name and act out something to do with their object. Associating the name with the object will help you remember them in a physical way!