Second, the observation of the face should be especially keen and attentive, both for purposes of recognition, and because the face becomes the Hitching Post for the name. When being introduced, and during the conversation, study the face carefully. First as a whole for a general impression, and then in detail. Notice the hair first, determine its color, condition, heavy, sparse, bald or curly, and note any peculiarity. Then observe the eyes, nose, mouth, ears and complexion. Form the habit of starting at the top of the head; be systematic; and let the attention move from one feature to another.
What is the result, how much will you later recall? No more, and in fact no less than you can now see in your mind's eye picture when you look away or close your eyes for a moment. Apply this test and then look back again and improve the mind's eye picture. Add to it as much more detail as possible. Be especially careful about noticing the peculiarities of this face; any wrinkle, blemish or oddity of any kind will be helpful in later remembering it.
A natural memory for faces may be good, but it can be improved, this kind of definite effort will get results. Any uncertainty in recognizing people will be largely eliminated by improved observation. For practice in this observation of faces use pictures in magazines or papers as well as the faces of the people you meet.
Third, let the observation of the face be crystallized into a definite opinion regarding this person. Instead of considering him as an object of which you are trying to get an especially good mental picture, consider him now as an individual and decide how you like him. Help the child to form correct opinions. To know the business in which he is engaged, place where he lives, his avocation, and favorite form of recreation will all aid in forming a strong and definite impression of this person. It is not always possible to go to this extent, but get as far as you can with it, the more you succeed the more help you will have in remembering. Each effort will aid the memory in that particular case—and help to form the valuable habit of close observation.
The Game of Faces
Get a number of pictures of strange faces, such as you often see of a convention, or take them from magazines. Cut them apart and take five of these faces and observe them carefully. Make a deliberate effort to note any peculiarity of these faces or anything about them that will help you to identify them. Mix the five among the rest, now run through the entire group of pictures and see if you can, without hesitation, pick these five from the others. Practice until you can do this. Leave these five faces out of the group and select five more; observe these in the same manner. Now mix the last five with the large group and identify them as you did the first five. Now take the ten and shuffle them into the large group and identify them the second time. Divide the ten in the two original groups of five so that you have the first five and the second five separate. When several children are playing this game together a score may be kept.
Mental operation becomes habitual and such practice will help the child form the habit of close observation of faces. The more difficulty he has in accomplishing this the more it shows his need of just such mental training. Let a week or so elapse and then go back to this same group of pictures and try the same exercise again, urge the child to look away once or twice and to make a real effort to build up his mind's eye picture.
Have several sets of pictures of faces so that this exercise can be continued as often as possible.
Progress by Practice
To recognize people accurately and to be able to call by name is a wonderful asset in business or in social life. Your children can have this advantage if you will see to it that they realize its importance and make a deliberate effort while young. They will easily form the habit and thank you for it all their lives.