How do I explain electronic configuration in chemistry to a 6th grader so that it stays with her for life?

I don't know what that is but I do know how to explain it to her so that she will remember it for a long time. First, you need to tell her the straight forward meaning for it. Then begin to get more into the topic, the details, the details that make the details. Make sure you use some everyday things to compare with it so that you can grasp her attention. When you have her attention, and you can see it in her eyes that she's listening, then you can get to the confusing and hard to understand parts. When you do all that, she will remember it for life. I know it's long, but this is what you have to do.