Ever wonder why your child might forget the Quran they’ve worked so hard to memorize? Memorizing the Quran is one of the greatest blessings one can be given, but it can be frustrating when our children seem to forget it over time. Understanding why this happens, and how you can help your child remember, starts with learning a bit about how memory works.

How Does Memorizing Work?

To help your child with memorization, it’s useful to know how memory works. There are three main stages involved:

1. Encoding: This is when we first take in information. For your child, this happens when they’re repeating verses during their hifdh (Quran memorization) sessions.
2. Storage: After encoding, the information gets stored in the brain. Some memories stay for a short time, but with practice, they move into long-term memory.
3. Retrieval: When your child wants to recall verses, their brain pulls the information from memory. Sometimes, this doesn’t go smoothly, and that’s when forgetting happens.

Why Do Kids Forget?

There are a few reasons why your child might forget what they’ve memorized. Below are some of main reasons why people forget their Quran. 

• Not Revising Regularly: The Quran needs regular review. Without it, the brain tends to forget things—this is the “use it or lose it” principle.
• Too Much at Once: If your child is trying to memorize too many verses at once without going back to review old material, it can lead to overload, and they may start forgetting.
• Distractions and Lack of Focus: If your child is distracted while memorizing, the information won’t stick as well.
• Rushing: Speeding through verses and not repeating enough time can lead to shallow memorization. While your child can recall the verses temporarily, they will struggle to retain the verses long-term.

How You Can Help Them Retain Their Hifdh

Forgetting is natural, but there are things you can do to help your child remember what they’ve memorized. Here are some tips:

• Daily Revision: Set up a daily revision routine for your child. Even just a few minutes a day can help them keep what they’ve memorized fresh.
• Quality Over Quantity: It’s better for your child to memorize fewer verses with deep understanding than to rush through large sections. When they understand the meaning, it’s easier to remember.
• Review Old Verses with New Ones: Encourage your child to always start by revising old verses before they memorize new ones. This reinforces what they’ve already learned while building on it.
• Recite in Salah: If your child is old enough to pray, encourage them to use the Quran they’ve memorized in their prayers. This natural revision will strengthen their memory.
• Create a Revision Schedule: Help your child follow a Quran revision schedule. Some people dedicate certain days to specific surahs or sections of the Quran, which can help keep them on track.
• Use Memory Tricks: Visualizing the verses, breaking them into smaller parts, or associating them with images  or meaning can help your child remember better. You can also encourage them to recite or teach what they’ve memorized to others—it’s a great way to strengthen memory.
• Healthy Lifestyle: Support your child’s memory by ensuring they get enough sleep, eat well, and stay active. A healthy body helps the brain work better, too.

How Quran Plan can help your child

We know how important it is to keep your child’s memorization strong, which is why we’ve created structured revision plans! These ready-made hifdh plans guide you on exactly what to revise each day, tailored to how many Juz your child has memorized. Find a plan for your child today.

Click here to find Quran revision plans.