I dont know about the process here...maybe this is Islaamically wrong for me to say but...
I like my boys to learn the Koran through a translated version - one that they can understand and read for themselves without having to rely on anyone else's version of meaning.
Anyone can memorize the sounds. I do understand that its very important to hear and know the sounds of the Koran and yes, its very beautiful to hear. But without understanding the Arabic language, too much is lost I think. So Ihave a DVD set with the full Koran, recorded at Mecca and the boys can listen to this and hear the sounds of the Koran.
But as far as learning it, I'll let them read a translated version.
I partly agree. There's so much reward for just reciting Quran and even more for those and their parent who memorize it but without the understanding of Quranic teachings there's no way to know the religion of Islam, **but **translations are not the way to learn Quran if you want it without relying on someone because there are hundreds of translations and all are done by people who understood Quran their way. Other way is to learn Quranic Arabic to understand Quran but for a five years old it's not easy to learn Arabic grammar etc.
For young children it is very easy to memorize hence the stress is on memorization of Quran in it's original language and you have to learn Quran to offer prayers anyway so I think it's worth memorizing the Quran in early years.