A mnemonic is a device used to remember lists in a creative and catchy way. One of the most common forms is by creating a word mnemonic. To create a word mnemonic, you use the first letter of each word on your list and create a new separate word or phrase. The aim of creating a mnemonic is to make it memorable so you can have an easier time at recalling the list when you need it. Mnemonics can be used for any type of list, ranging from remembering the order of the planets of the solar system to recalling the order of the operations of math, as other common lists we need to know. Here are some common examples that are used:  For the order of math operations, the common approach is the mnemonic, Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally. Parenthesis, Exponents, Multiply, Divide, Addition, and Subtraction.  For remembering the bones in the wrist, a common mnemonic is, Never Lick Tilly’s Popsicle, Mother Might Come Home. Navicular, Lunate, Triquetrum, Pisiform, Multongular, Multongular, Capitate, Hamate.   Another form of mnemonic is called an expression mnemonic. It works similar to the word mnemonic only you arrange the letters to remember the order of the list. For example to remember the order of the solar system from the sun outward, we use: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Creating a catchy jingle is an effective way to recall information. Maybe you have a favorite song or tune that goes perfectly with a list that you need to remember. Popular lists that are connected to a song are the ABC’s and the “50 Nifty United States” song to recall the order of states. Using visuals to link different objects in a list helps you connect each item as you recall them. If you can think of powerful, creative visuals to associate with each image, you have a better chance at remembering your list.  For example, take four items you need to remember. The list is as follows: a pencil, a wallet, a candle, and a bracelet. Next, link each object to the next in a creative and visual way. Link the pencil to the wallet. Think of the pencil looking in a wallet. Link the wallet to the candle. Think of the wallet sitting on top of the candle. Link the candle to the bracelet. Think of the candle wearing a bracelet. Link the bracelet to the flower. Think of a bracelet holding a flower. This type of strategy may be used for longer lists as well. Just keep thinking of different images to help you remember each item on the list. Creating smaller groups of information is a good way to remember a long list, especially with numbers. This is generally referred to as “chunking” which means taking a long list and trying to remember the list by thinking about it in smaller bits. By breaking the list up into smaller chunks, you can have an easier time at committing the list to memory instead of trying to memorize the entire list at one time. One common form of chunking is with telephone numbers. A new telephone number is often provided in a group of seven or ten numbers (depending on if you need to recall the area code). For example, if the telephone number is 1237894563, breaking it up in chunks will allow you to recall it more easily than trying to recall the numbers in a long sequence. Grouping it in a chunk, 123-789-4563, will help you remember it better.

Summary: Create a mnemonic. Put the list to a song. Create a linking system. Put the list into chunks.


It should be slightly longer and wider than your companion. Shoe boxes work very well for small toys, but bigger ones will need bigger boxes. If you're making a house, it's better to use a much bigger box than your companion. If you're using a colored box, remember that this will be the exterior color of the house. The picture shows a great example of a nice bed that fits a sock monkey very well. This will be the carpet. Be creative! Having a gray carpet isn't very nice. Try adding some patterns. You can also try making it with the color of your walls. Windows, chimneys, and doors are wonderful choices. If you're confused, have a look around your own house! You wouldn't want to live in a house with nothing but a window and a carpet, would you? If your stuffed animal is a monkey, you might try adding some rocks and branches so it can climb on. Or if it's more of the human-animal kind, furniture is good. You can try adding in some mini couches, beds, tables and more. Getting these things are quite easy - you can get them from a Barbie set or make them with some guides here at wikiHow. You might try adding a removable rooftop, a basement, or even some mini garden hoses and a porch! Be creative! You could put the house in your bedroom, in the kitchen, or even in the bathroom!

Summary: Find an unused box. Put a blanket inside the box. Add some house-like features to it. Add some furnishings. Decorate the outside of your box. Place the finished house in the desired location.


The next step in your progression is to do “self-assisted” push-ups. These are almost true one-handed push-ups, but with small cheats to let you build up more strength. First, lower yourself slowly to the ground with both hands. These push-ups are done level to the ground, rather than on an elevated surface.  Assume a position as if you were going to do normal, two-handed push-ups. Again, make sure to keep your feet slightly wider than your shoulders. Reach out — up and to the side — with your secondary arm, i.e. the arm that will not be supporting your body. The idea is to let this free arm “assist” in the push-up by taking on a small amount of weight, but to rely on it as little as possible. Over time, you will build up strength and come to rely on it even less. You can also place the assisting arm on a slightly elevated surface. As before, slowly lower your body until your chest is nearly touching the ground and your supporting arm is at an acute angle. However, be very careful about how low you go and how far your shoulder is extended because there is a risk of injury. Once you are in position, try to explode upward in a single and fluid motion.  You may have trouble at first with raising yourself. That is OK. Simply shift some body weight to the assisting arm. You can also try widening your foot stance. Again, keep your core muscles tight through the motion to create body tension and protect your spine. Keep your elbow in (no chicken wings), and pull your shoulder blades down and back Another move that can build up your strength and perfect your form is the “negative” push-up. This means focusing on the negative or lowering phase. At this point, you are nearly at the true one-armed push-up.  Use one arm for this maneuver. Keep your free arm behind your back. From the starting position, lower yourself to the ground. Move as slowly as you can and keep control over the movement. When you reach the bottom, place your free hand on the ground and push up. Continue with your set. Whether you try the self-assisted or negative one-armed push-up, make sure to switch it up and use your other arm. You can also alternate arms for each rep rather than doing a full set. It is important to use both arms to avoid creating muscle imbalances or differences in strength.
Summary: Lower yourself to the ground on two hands. Extend your secondary arm outward. Lower and raise yourself. Try a “negative” one-armed push-up, alternately. Repeat and change sides.