A Memorization Technique Anyone Can Use

Here is a memorization tip that anyone can use if they will just take a little time out and try it.

The ability to memorize is an essential skill that all children should master. Some children have a natural ability to memorize things easily, but everyone can still benefit from a strategy for memorization.

We have a quick and easy method that my kids like to use when they have to memorize something, whether it be a vocabulary definition, a series of numbers (like skip counting), a poem, etc.

The process is simple.

  • Using a white board, write out the words (or numbers) that need to be memorized.
  • Looking at the written words, read them aloud at least once.
  • Erase one word — preferably an 'important' word, not an article or conjuction — and then read the selection aloud again, including the word that was erased.
  • Repeat the process, erasing one word and reading the selection aloud, until all the words have been erased.
  • By the time everything is erased, you should have the selection memorized. If not, just take a break, and then come back later to repeat the process. Taking a break is very important if you don't have it fully memorized the first time!

If you don't have a white board, you could also use index cards, or even scraps of paper. Just write one word on each card, and then turn one card over at a time. The card method might actually work better for a younger child since they can do the studying on their own, without having to write it out each time.

Do you have any tips or tricks for memorization that work for you?

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  1. says

    We don't use any special techniques for memorization. DD just reads the what she is memorizing each day and then every Friday, she tries to say it without reading it. We keep going until she has it memorized. She is only 4yo, so what she is memorizing tends to be short, but she has memorized poems of up to about 12 lines in this way, usually in about 2-3 weeks. I think it makes a difference that she gets to choose what she is memorizing, so she is more motivated.
    .-= Tracy´s last blog ..The Truth about Santa Claus =-.


  2. says

    We do this, except without the white board. We all say the verse together and then I stop saying important words while the little ones (or whomever I'm working with) continues to say the verse and so on as you describe.

    I've never thought of using a white board, that may be useful for those that read.

    We usually memorize long passages of scripture, does the white board method work well for that or do you split it up into segments?
    .-= Kimberly @ Raising Olives´s last blog ..Titus 2: Finding the Time to Mentor =-.


  3. says

    I tried this with my kids a couple of years ago, thinking I was so smart to use something that we did when I was a kid. Well, my kids pointed out that they used this technique every week in AWANA and that, not only was it useful, but it was old news to them!

    My son has a terrible time with memorization, but a large part of it is because of his dyslexia. Language things just don't come easily to him. My daughter, on the other hand, is a whiz with memorizing just about anything.



  4. says

    We have often used this technique as well, it works like a charm! For variety we will sometimes just write the first letter of each word.

    That break you mentioned is oh so important (for some more than others). My daughter will struggle with a verse and we just try again the next day and she knows it first time through!

    Sometimes it just needs to simmer a while. :-)


  5. says

    In youth group settings, and at times with our 3 young learners we have used a 'round' method.
    I start off by saying the verse outloud several times. Then I'll say a few words and have them echo those words, repeating until they are familiar. Once the entire verse is 'familiar' we begin breaking it down into one or two word fragments. We sit in a circle and go around and around, each person only saying one or two words (decided ahead of time how many)
    This gives us all the opportunity to participate as well as say different parts as we go around the circle.
    Works great!


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