If you want to see pure cognitive magic in action, walk into any Texas band hall the week before a UIL competition. You’ll find teenagers, yes, the same ones who “can’t remember” where they left their Chromebook, effortlessly recalling entire sheets of music, from crescendos to cut-offs, all stored neatly in their minds like a personal Spotify playlist. Or stroll by a theater rehearsal and watch students deliver pages of dialogue without even glancing at a script. Better yet, sit in on a football huddle and listen as athletes call out plays, reads, formations, and responsibilities, all from memory and all under pressure.
Somewhere along the way, we’ve forgotten an essential truth schools once embraced: memorization isn’t old-fashioned. It’s brain training. And kids are already doing it, just not always in the classroom.
Memorization Builds the Brain
Notable psychologist Nelson Cowen’s research consistently shows that memorization strengthens neural pathways, which improves working memory, processing speed, and long-term retention. In plain Texas talk: memorizing stuff helps your brain learn more stuff. It’s the mental equivalent of lifting weights before the big game.
When students memorize a monologue, a marching routine, or a defensive scheme, they’re not just performing. They’re building cognitive stamina. They’re strengthening recall. They’re learning to focus. And believe it or not, these skills transfer straight into reading comprehension, writing fluency, math problem-solving, and even emotional regulation.
A Story We All Know Too Well
I still remember memorizing the Preamble to the US Constitution in school. I remember standing in front of the class to recite it. At the time, I thought my teacher was just being difficult. Years later, I realized she was teaching me more than patriotism or public speaking; she was teaching me discipline, focus, and the ability to store and retrieve information quickly.
Those skills helped me through graduate school, through leadership roles, and yes, even through learning the names of every student I met during my first year as a principal. Memorization gave me confidence in my ability to learn, and that confidence kept growing.
Our students deserve that same advantage.
Why Schools Should Bring Memorization Back into Daily Instruction
In education, we sometimes swing the pendulum a bit too far. For a while, memorization was labeled outdated, something from the chalkboard era. But the truth is, memorization and critical thinking are not opposites; they’re partners.
You can’t think critically about what you can’t remember.
Memorizing foundational facts, math facts, vocabulary, historical timelines, scientific processes, and even the Preamble, frees up mental space so students can analyze, problem-solve, and create. It’s like giving them the building blocks before asking them to design the house.
A Call to Action for Families
If memorization isn’t a routine part of your child’s daily learning, you can still bring the benefits home, without turning your living room into a study hall.
Here are a few easy, fun ways to build memory skills at home:
- Memorize a poem together (short and funny works great).
- Practice math facts while driving.
- Learn state capitals, presidents, or Spanish vocabulary as a family game.
- Ask your child to retell a story, chapter, or movie plot from memory.
- Have them memorize a favorite quote, scripture, or song lyrics.
None of these activities takes long, and they all help build the mental muscles students need for future success.
The Bottom Line
Kids are already memorizing extraordinary amounts of information in the activities they love. It’s time we tap into that natural ability and bring memorization back into everyday learning. Not to return to the past, but to strengthen the cognitive tools our students need for the future.
Let’s give students the gift of a stronger memory. Their brains and their grades will thank us.
Bio
Dr. Brandon Enos serves as the Superintendent and Lead Learner of Gunter ISD in Gunter, Texas. He is the Legislative Chair for the Texas Rural Education Association (TREA) and a dedicated advocate for Texas public school students and staff. Dr. Enos is committed to strengthening academic excellence, supporting educators, and ensuring that every student in Texas has access to a rigorous and high-quality public education.
