If you follow a classical learning approach, the concept of memorization is already near and dear to your heart. But even if that style of learning isn’t your cup of tea, memorizing is one of the best tools you can introduce your little preschool sponges too!
Did that statement make you cringe? Did it conjure up memories of long, dry passages of historical text that you had to memorize in school?
There’s nothing wrong with reciting the Preamble to the Constitution or the opening to Canterbury Tales, but that’s not exactly what I want you to picture when you think of using this practice with preschoolers.
No, I’m talking about immersing your days in fun nursery rhymes, great, beginner Bible verses, and singing – always singing!
Anything put to song is loads of fun for little ones (which could even easily include the Constitution’s Preamble or other historical facts!) and you’ll be amazed at what your tots can learn just by singing. After all, just about every child starts out life memorizing the alphabet by singing a song, right?
We love to memorize Bible verses through song around here (specifically using these CDs) and I created a set of cards to go along with them to help Gv even when the music isn’t playing (although she still mostly sings when she recites the verses)!
Because of her comfort with this practice, she found it easy-peasy to earn a medal from church this past year for reciting the season’s Bible verses, something that was honestly only expected from the “big kids” who go to school (which also totally went hand-in-hand with what I was saying in my performance post here)!
Besides Bible verses, nursery rhymes are also a great choice for your young collector. I’ve shared before how important nursery rhymes are to a preschooler’s development so it just makes sense to focus on these for early memorization goals. I love that even Pam has incorporated this practice into her preschool morning time plans!
Poetry is another obvious focus for early memorization. It will help with the articulation of words and promote a more eloquent vocabulary, enhance a child’s ability to communicate and read, and resonate with them on an emotional level – another area I’ve shared as vital to early-childhood development!
Jokes and riddles are still one more fun way for preschoolers to fine-tune those memorization muscles! Sure, you might want to run away from home if you have to hear one more “knock-knock” joke, but just console yourself with the thought that by memorizing these somewhat annoying jokes now, they will help your child learn other, less maddening things later on.
Whatever recitation topic you choose to start your children off with, be sure to select one that is important and natural to your family – and don’t be afraid to start encouraging this practice in your preschooler right away!
Have you thought about memorization for your preschooler yet? I’d love to hear! Either leave a comment below or email me at lisahealy (at) outlook (dot) com.
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