The spaced repetition study method is a highly effective way to learn and retain new vocabulary. It lines up with research showing that practicing and review work better if they are spread out over time than if they are lumped together. Here’s how you can help your child use spaced repetition to study vocabulary effectively.
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What is the Spaced Repetition Study Method?
Spaced repetition involves reviewing information at increasing intervals over time. This technique is based on the principle that we forget information over time, but if we review it just as we are about to forget it, we reinforce our memory and extend the retention period. This method is particularly useful for studying vocabulary, as it helps students move words from short-term to long-term memory.
How the Spaced Repetition Study Method Works
- Initial Learning Phase: Start by introducing new vocabulary words. Make sure your child understands the meaning, pronunciation, and usage of each word. For most students, I introduce 3-5 new words in a session. If your child needs more repetition before they are comfortable moving on, consider introducing 1 or 2 at a time so the pile doesn’t get too large.
- Review Intervals: Review the vocabulary words after a few hours, then after a day, a few days later, a week later, and finally, a month later. The intervals can be adjusted based on how well your child remembers the words.
- Active Recall: During each review session, encourage your child to actively recall the meaning and usage of each word without looking at the definition. This strengthens memory retention. You can vary practice by dictating the words for spelling, or asking your child, “what’s the word that means…?”
💡Tip: For tricky words, help them make up a silly sentence or draw a picture that reminds them of the word.
Steps to Implement the Spaced Repetition Study Method
Step 1: Create Vocabulary Lists
Start by compiling a list of vocabulary words your child needs to learn. This list can come from their schoolwork, reading materials, or vocabulary books. It is easier to learn words when you can connect them to words you already know. Words related to something they are studying will be easier to learn than ones from a random list or vocabulary book.
Step 2: Create Flashcards
Flashcards are an excellent tool for spaced repetition. Write the vocabulary word on one side of a flashcard and the definition and example sentence on the other side.
💭Tip: While it’s possible to buy ready-made flashcards, it’s worth it to make your own. We form stronger memories of things we write, especially if we write them by hand.
Example Flashcard:
elicit
definition: to draw out a response or reaction
sentence: The teacher’s question was designed to elicit thoughtful responses from the students.
Step 3: Organize Flashcards for Spaced Repetition
To effectively organize your flashcards for spaced repetition, follow these steps:
Create a Box with Dividers
Set up a card filing box with four dividers labeled as follows:
- Daily
- Every Other Day
- Weekly
- Monthly
Initial Placement
Place all new flashcards behind the “Daily” divider. Remember to give only a few (1-5) new words at a time. This is where your child will start with their initial learning phase.
Daily Review Process
Day 1: Review all cards in the Daily section. Any cards your child recalls correctly move to Every Other Day. Cards they don’t recall correctly stay in Daily.
Day 2: Review all cards in the Daily section. Correct cards move to Every Other Day. If the Daily section is empty, introduce a few more new words.
Day 3: Review all Daily cards. Review all cards in the Every Other Day section. Correct cards move to Weekly. Incorrect ones return to Daily.
Days 4+: Continue to review the Daily and Every Other Day cards and move as above.
Day 7: Review all cards in the Weekly section. Correct cards move to Monthly, incorrect ones return to Every Other Day.
Day 30: Review all cards in the Monthly section. Correct cards can be reviewed less frequently from this point on, perhaps once a month. If any words have been forgotten, consider moving them all the way back to Daily or Every Other Day. They will likely be relearned pretty quickly with a bit of review.
Step 4: Active Recall Practice
During each review session, ask your child to recall the meaning and usage of the word without looking at the back of the flashcard. This practice strengthens their memory and helps transfer information to long-term memory.
Active Recall Tips:
- Ask your child to use the word in a sentence.
- Encourage them to explain the word’s meaning in their own words.
- Quiz them on the definitions and ask for examples of when the word could be used.
Step 5: Adjust Intervals as Needed
If your child remembers new words quickly, they may not need this much repetition. Some students needs just 2 or 3 exposures to a new word before they have learned it. Other students seem to need many repeated exposures to a new word before it becomes part of their lexicon. The beauty of this system is that it is easy to respond to individual needs.
Benefits of the Spaced Repetition Study Method
Improved Retention
Spaced repetition leverages the brain’s ability to retain information more effectively when reviewed at strategic intervals, enhancing long-term memory retention.
Efficient Use of Study Time
By focusing on reviewing information just before it’s forgotten, spaced repetition makes study sessions more efficient, ensuring that your child spends their time on what they need to review most.
Reduced Study Stress
With a clear plan and predictable schedule, the spaced repetition study method can reduce the stress and anxiety often associated with studying, making it a more enjoyable and manageable process.
Tools to Aid the Spaced Repetition Study Method
Flashcard Apps
Several apps and software programs are designed to help with spaced repetition. These tools can automate the scheduling of reviews and track progress over time.
Popular Apps:
- Anki: Uses an algorithm to optimize the intervals between reviews.
- Quizlet: Offers a spaced repetition feature and allows users to create their own flashcards.
Physical Flashcards
For those who prefer a hands-on approach, physical flashcards can be just as effective. Use index cards or specially designed flashcards to implement the spaced repetition study method. Get a small index card storage box and label the dividers.
And that’s all it takes to implement the spaced repetition study method for learning vocabulary! It’s a simple system that can make regular old flashcards into a turbo-charged tool for efficient studying.
Conclusion
The spaced repetition study method is a powerful tool for learning and retaining vocabulary. By strategically spacing out review sessions and using active recall, your child can effectively move vocabulary words from short-term to long-term memory. This method not only improves retention but also makes studying more efficient and less stressful. Encourage your child to incorporate spaced repetition into their study routine and watch their vocabulary skills improve.
Additional Resources
- Quizlet offers prompts for spaced repetition of content you are learning.
- Play games to learn more vocabulary words, like Vocabularious by Mrs. Wordsmith.
- Play board games like Codenames or Scattergories to practice recalling and using new words.
- To find out more, check out my video on YouTube: How to study vocabulary using spaced repetition.
