Remember when you had to memorize that LONG poem, then stand in front of everyone to recite? How about when you had to say parts of the multiplication table to prove you had learned it? Scary stuff, and most of us that went through it were not pleased at the time. Educators in many areas have replaced that rote memory work with more interactive forms of learning.
However, there is a movement back towards memory work in some school curriculums. Educators are discovering that the purpose of rote learning was not only to get the facts or the passage into the student’s mind for all eternity, but had several other benefits, as well. Memory work encourages and develops concentration skills and beginning study habits. Memorizing a poem or a group of math facts paves the way for understanding how to study from a textbook later in the school career. Children learn which memory aids and tricks work best for themselves, and discover the conditions that help them learn most efficiently.
Memory work also (Surprise! Surprise!) develops memory skills. In other words, the more memory work that most people do, the easier it becomes to remember things when they choose to do so. Memorized facts and poetic advice also are more accessible to children, and so more readily used. Finally, most children are naturally GOOD at this task. The feeling of accomplishment when a person has mastered material after working hard at the task is irreplaceable. Memory work accomplishes many things that are important for school and later learning.
What if your child’s school curriculum doesn’t seem to be addressing this area? You can build memory skills at home or in daycare, as well. Play games with your family or asking a free psychic question by phone or group that call for players to use their memories. An example would be some variation on “I’m going on a picnic and I’m going to take….” Each person repeats the items listed before their turn, then adds to the list. Who in the family can memorize a poem or quote to liven up dinner conversation? There are numerous books of short quotations that contain marvelous pearls of wisdom. Have a weekly contest to see who can memorize a favorite poem or passage. Try reciting while bouncing a ball or doing another rhythmic task instead of simply standing up to say the piece. Another idea would be to have the child recite the piece into a tape recorder instead of in front of the whole world. The tape would make a wonderful way to show distant relatives what is being learned. The recitation is often the most difficult part of these activities, but also will help your child develop poise and self-confidence that will later become assets when going to job interviews or doing other important communication tasks.
Keep learning alive with memory tasks, whether poems, passages from important literature, spelling words, or math facts. The skills involved are too important to allow to atrophy, and your children’s efforts will pay off in improved academic work and skills later in life.
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