First, they make a good backbone for learning. They teach and familiarize you with vocabulary and concepts. There are many big ideas in the famous speeches and documents of history, that it gives you opportunity to break down and explain. To learn a larger vocabulary you first need to have word in your long term storage for retrieval at later dates and when you are already familiar with these vocabulary words it will then be easier for your brain to retrieve when needed.
Second, it teaches the child HOW to break learning down, and how to build on earlier learning. For example, when we are learning a poem or speech, we will read it many times to familiarize ourselves with it, then we will start with the first sentence and slowly build on that sentence. With "Twas the night before Christmas" I even had my son write it out and it makes a really nice book for a Christmas present. I think so many children are just NOT taught HOW to learn. How to break things down into learn-able pieces. How does one eat an elephant? One bite at a time!
Third it teaches patience, practice and perseverance. I think that those are the 3 most undervalued words, yet the MOST IMPORTANT words in the English language. Those 3 words change lives.
And fourth, a sense of accomplishment. The sense of pride that you know these great pieces. To be able to spout off your great knowledge and understanding. I believe positive experiences breed more positive experiences. Children like that feeling of knowing something special and yes the ohhhs and ahhs. I love to hear my son recite "Twas the Night Before Christmas."
Always remember, though. Use it or lose it. Until these pieces are moved into long term storage in the brain, they will begin to lose bits and parts and sometimes all. It took a lot of practice for me to keep Clements poem in my mind, but every December I pull out my old and trusty note card out of my jewelry box and refresh my memory.
