Why Memorizing Matters
As a teacher and parent I get confused when I hear that memorizing is a thing of the past. I know when I’m in the classroom that kids can’t remember their Spanish verbs or conjugations easily. I also know as a parent that my son doesn’t remember history facts very easily.
So what am I supposed to do? Tell each to suck it up and get the information in there without a conscious effort?
I’m all in favor of learning in context and understanding information as it applies to real life. I don’t like the idea of memorizing as a rote activity. There needs to be an anchor involved somewhere. Most times this anchor comes from the context and the other elements of the lesson.
But if retention doesn’t come from context, then where does it come from? Well, sorry to break the news to you but it comes from memorizing in a way that adds the context and flavor so that it’s easier to remember.
Memorizing is not bad. It is a necessary tool that can be used effectively to aid understanding, not hinder it.
My son knows about the important moments leading up to the American Revolution. If you ask him about the Boston Tea Party, he’ll reel off facts and figures that show understanding. Yet, if he can’t remember that the Boston Tea Party, along with another 5-6 events, was important then he can’t show he knows it. In other words, memorizing helps him remember the important moments and then he’s able to take it from there.
Do yourself and your child a favor. Use memorization whenever it’s needed. Learn memory skills that are fun and easy to use and effective. These skills will be invaluable not only in school but for the rest of their lives.
Tags:memorization memorizing memory memory skills rememberingPopularity: 87% [?]