Memory work strategies

Now that we are a few weeks into the new school year, your children have probably recited some memory work. How is your child doing with this? Some kids seem to memorize their hymns, passages, and catechism parts with little or no help from Mom and Dad. Praise God if memory work tasks come easily for your child.

For other children memorization is a frustrating and difficult task. Below, I've listed some strategies that may help your child with memory work.

• Break it down. Instead of trying to learn memory work all at once, break it down into mini memory work sessions. Begin homework time by reading through the assigned memory work 2 or 3 times. This will help you gauge how well your child already knows the memory work. Between homework tasks, read through the memory work again. Try reciting all or part of it. When homework is finished, read through the passage and try reciting again.
• Try to find rhythms in the memory work. (This works better with some passages than with others.) I still remember sayingBless-ed are they that hear the word of God and keep it. (Although I think it's "obey" it, now.) Exaggerating the rhythm may help you child remember.
• Try adding hand motions. They don't have to be anything fancy; point up for "God," fold hands for "pray," etc. Mrs. Tellier teaches some passages with rhythmic speaking and clapping to help kids remember. When kids say memory work to their teachers, they can use the hand gestures to help them remember. Their teachers won't mind one bit.
• Use music. Hymns were written for singing. Lots of kids sing their hymns to their teachers. Some passages fit well with familiar melodies; (Mary Had a Little Lamb, Old MacDonald, etc) give it a try.
• Use color. Sometimes different colors aid memory. Try high-lighting each phrase in a different color.
• Go big. Try writing the memory work with dry erase markers on a bay window or glass patio door at home. Use different colors. After reading the passage through a couple of times, erase all the blue words, and see if you can fill in the blanks.
• Step it up. Have your child stand on the bottom step of the stairs in your home. Read the memory work with him, then have your child go up one step. Repeat until your child is on the top step. Have your child recite the memory work. If he does it without a mistake, have him step down one step and repeat until he's at the bottom. If your child makes a mistake. Stay on that step, re-read the passage, and try to recite again. You can change the rules depending on various factors (like how many stairs you have at your house.)
• Using the same idea of movement from the stair strategy, have your child sit in a chair at the kitchen or dining room table. Read the memory work, move to the next chair, and read it again. Once your child has sat in every chair around the table, have her go around again but this time, recite the memory work instead of reading it. If your child makes a mistake, have her stay in the same chair, read the passage, then try reciting it again.
• Get some rest. Just before bedtime, have a no pressure memory work review. As you tuck your child in, re-read the passage 2-3 times. Our brains continue to process information long after we're asleep. Can you think of better material for your child's brain to process in dream land than God's Word?!
• Practice in the car on the way to school. Even though kids are supposed to look their memory work over when they get to their classrooms, many kids don't.
  
• Communicate with your child's teacher. If your child really struggles with memory work, schedule an appointment to talk to his or her teacher. Let the teacher know what strategies you've tried. Ask for suggestions.
  
• If you and your child have honestly tried, and for some reason, the memory work just isn't sticking, send a note for your child's teacher. (I'd say to talk to the teacher, but before school is pretty hectic with memory work, sharpening pencils, lunch count, etc. Sending a note is probably best.) The teacher will still want to hear your child give it a try, but don't worry. The same passages, hymns, and catechism sections are repeated. If your child can't recite the memory work this time, he'll have another opportunity later in the year or next year.
• Pray. Keep trying. Pray some more. God wants us to be students of His Word. He made each of us. He knows our strengths and our weaknesses. He knows your child is trying and will bless your child's efforts. Memory work may still be difficult, but God promises to work all things for your child's good.