Making Memorization Easy and Fun

Ever since our children were little, we have helped them memorize Bible verses. It is important to us that they hide God's Word in their hearts from a young age. To make it fun and easy, I went to great lengths to collect or create aids and activities to accompany any verse.

Years later, when I read The Well Trained Mind, I have wanted our children to memorize other things as well. Some of what I wanted the children to learn wasn't fun or interesting to them. {A list of state capitals or presidents doesn't suit everyone's taste, after all.} It was then that I began to transfer and alter some of the activities and learning aids I collected or made for their Bible memorization. Some of these ideas follow.

Using the whole body

• Sign Language - Learn the motions to say the memory piece in sign language or make up your own hand motions.
• Hopscotch - Create a hopscotch board with parts of the memory piece contained in each square. As the child hops through the board, he tells (or reads) that segment.
• Movement - Allow your high energy child to run, hop, crawl, or tip toe as he recites. For my youngest this alone has been his favorite. Sometimes, he runs as he shouts his memory work.
• Clap - Use a rhythm to match the memory piece and encourage your child to clap as he recites.
• Index Card Mix-Up - Write portions of the memory piece on index cards. Mix them. Have your child read and put them in the correct order.
• Throw 'Snow Balls,' Scatter 'Leaves,' or Spill 'Ink Blots' - In winter, make white circles to throw onto memory pieces, covering parts of the words. Have your child try to remember what is under the snow ball. In autumn weather, scatter real or paper leaves in the same fashion. In the spring, spill black paper ink blots to cover up parts of the memory piece.

Using a chalkboard, white board, paper, or side walk with pencils, markers, chalk, or crayons

• Write It Out - Use normal letter, block letters, cloud letters, swirly letters, etc to write out the words.
• Illustrate It - Make a picture, or several, about the memory piece.
• Write It Backwards - After the child has written it out, it can only be read with a mirror.
• Make a Secret Code - Write out the memory piece in a secret code, complete with a key.

Using only your voices

• Volley It - With your child, take turns saying parts of the memory piece.
• Record It - After recording the memory piece, let your child listen to it often.
• Vary Your Voice - Sing it, shout it, whisper it, or say it in a funny voice.
• Mouth It - Say with no sound at all.