Re: Is it true that it is possible for every child to learn photographic memory

Your question asks several different things. First what is photographic 
memory ? Second, can it be learned ? Finally, is there something special 
about children that makes it easier or harder for them to develop this 
skill ?

So lets start with the first question. In common speak, photographic 
memory is the same as perfect memory, the ability to recall the finest 
detail upon demand. Looking for an exact definition of photographic 
memory, it seems that most references seem to agree that there is no such 
thing as a *perfect* memory. Some people have naturally better memories 
than others, and a very few have the ability to perform some amazing feats 
with their memories. 

There is also certain phenomenon where a person is shown a scene, and they 
are able to visualize the scene in exact detail for many minutes after the 
images have disappeared. In this case however, it seems that the person is 
still "seeing" the scene long after it is gone, rather than actually 
remembering it. This is called eidetic imagery.

Now getting to the other parts of your question, there are several 
techniques one can use to train yourself to improve all aspects of your 
memory and attention to detail. This is true of just about anyone 
practicing any skill, the more they work on it, the better they'll get at 
it. How people form memories and how the ability to keep memories changes 
as people get older is still a very active topic of research. 

One final note, eidetic memory is much more common in children than in 
adults, where estimated frequency is something like 1/20 children vs 
1/1000 adults. I don't think it is known whether that is a particular 
skill that can be trained/learned.

I hope this is useful. 

Vidya

PS.
I got the information about eidetic imagery and photographic memory from 
The Penguin Dictionary of Psychology, © Arthur S. Reber 1995 

For a brief summary of eidetic imagery, look here : http://www.straightd
ope.com/columns/000901.html
  
For information on memory look here : http://www.epub.org.br
/cm/n01/memo/memory.htm