What is Short-term memory (STM)?

Short-term memory is like a magic plate that holds only a few things at once, just long enough for you to use them.

Imagine you're playing with your favorite toy, let's say it’s a train set. You look at the pieces on the table: there's a red engine, a blue car, and a green tunnel. Your short-term memory holds those three things so you can build your track without forgetting what you’ve already picked up.

Think of short-term memory like a small plate at a picnic, it can only hold a few pieces of food at once. If you try to put too many things on it, some might fall off. That's why when someone tells you a phone number, you have to repeat it a couple times before you can write it down, your short-term memory needs help to keep all the numbers straight.

Your short-term memory helps you follow directions, remember what you're doing in the middle of a game, or even learn new words. It’s like having a little helper who holds on to things just long enough for you to use them, and then lets go so you can make room for something new!