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Inspiring Futures Professional Development provides a variety of CPD for school staff across primary schools in Buckinghamshire and beyond.

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Retrieval Practice

What is Retrieval Practice? 

Retrieval practice is the act of actively recalling learned information from memory with little or no support. Every time you retrieve information or generate an answer, it strengthens the original memory, making it easier to recall in the future!

 

What are the top 5 reasons why my child should do regular retrieval practice?

  1. Boosts long term memory

    Actively recalling information helps strengthen memory pathways, making it easier for your child to remember facts and concepts over time. This is far more effective than passive rereading, copying or highlighting.

  2. Enhances understanding
    Retrieval practice encourages your child to think critically about the material, promoting a deeper understanding of the subject rather than just rote memorisation.
  3. Identifies gaps in knowledge

    By attempting to recall information, your child can quickly identify what they don’t know or understand. This allows them to focus on areas that need improvement.

  4. Improves performance in test situations

    Regular practice of recalling information mirrors the process of taking a test, building your child’s confidence and ability to retrieve facts in a formal timed situation.

  5. Strengthens learning retention
    Retrieval practice helps combat the “forgetting curve,” a concept that describes how information fades over time. Practising retrieval slows this process and helps your child retain information longer.

How can you help your child retrieve learning at home?

Here are some practical and fun ways to incorporate retrieval practice into your child’s routine:
1. Retrieval before rewards
Before screen time or play, instruct your child to carry out a few minutes on Spelling Shed / Times Tables Rock Stars, or have a conversation with your child about what they have been learning (see types of questions below). This integrates retrieval into their daily routine without making it feel like extra work,
2. Quiz time at home
  • Turn retrieval practice into a game, using a game based learning platform like Kahoot or Quizlet to make it interactive and exciting.  You can find ready made quizzes on topics your child is learning / has learnt about or create your own using the facts on your child's Knowledge Organisers.  
  • Mix in fun formats like multiple-choice, true/false, or "fill in the blank" questions. 
  • Flashcards (question on one side, answer on the reverse) - how many facts can they recall in two minutes?
  • You can offer small rewards to make it extra motivating.
3. Post-It challenges
  • Use the information on the Knowledge Organisers to create questions on Post-It notes and stick them around the house. As they pass by, they can answer a question before moving on.
4. Teach back
  • Ask your child to "teach" the material to you or a sibling. Explaining concepts helps them actively recall information and solidify their understanding
5. Brain dumps
  • Have your child write down everything they remember about a topic without looking at their notes.
  • Afterwards, compare with their knowledge organisers to fill in the gaps.

 

Talking with your child requires no resources and is a fantastic form of regular Retrieval Practice.  Some good questions to pose are...

  • What topic were you learning today?
  • What can you remember about... (topic)?
  • Can you tell me what these words mean?

 

For more information on Retrieval Practice:

Retrieval Practice: A guide for parents, carers & families

This link is more aimed at parents of secondary age children but may be of interest:

Effective Study Strategies: Webinar for parents and carers