Memorizing vs. Understanding

There’s a big difference between memorizing and truly understanding something. When a student memorizes a term or a concept, he’s able to repeat it back verbatim. When a student truly understands a term or a concept, he’s able to explain in his own words not only the definition, but also why it’s important and how it relates to other terms and concepts. Work with your child to dig deeper than memorization by making connections between terms, concepts, and ideas. Encourage him to ask questions and explore different angles. These higher order critical thinking skills are increasingly important in today’s fast-paced, analytical world.