Developing Working Memory: Strategies for Parents and Educators
Working memory is a cognitive skill that requires the ability to acquire, store, recall, and retain what is learned or experienced. Developing working memory early in life can significantly impact a child’s academic success. It plays an essential role in problem-solving, following directions, critically thinking, math, and reading. Memory skills are also needed to develop background knowledge which aids a child in making important connections as the complexity of information increases. This article explores practical strategies for developing working memory in children.
What Is Working Memory?
Working memory is a type of short-term memory, most associated with a child’s academic success. Working memory ties into cognitive and executive function. It is the ability to store and manage information that helps you retain the steps needed to solve a problem or complex tasks. For example, a child uses working memory to remember a teacher’s instruction while beginning to perform that function or holding information in their head while taking notes.
Understanding plays a role in memory. If something is not fully understood, a child is less likely to remember it. Deficits in working memory are evident in a child who has difficulty following instructions, forgetting what to do next, trouble focusing, and academic struggles—especially in reading comprehension and math.
Because memory impacts every aspect of a student’s life, it is important for teachers and parents to learn ways to improve working memory.
Signs of Poor Working Memory
Developing working memory early can help children thrive both in and out of the classroom.
Children with poor working memory may exhibit the following behaviors.
- Poor comprehension, having to read and reread passages
- Poor test taking
- Forgetting details
- Inability to make connections between chunks of information
- Inability to follow multiple directions
- Less engaged in class discussion
- Struggle to focus, easily distracted
- Need instructions repeated to complete a task
Recognizing these signs allows parents and educators to intervene with effective strategies.
Strategies for Developing Working Memory and Retention
Working memory is essential for a child’s academic progress. Since memory is like a muscle, it can be exercised to grow and develop. Teachers and parents, can help students exercise working memory with the following strategies. Keep in mind that learning styles play a part in how information is processed which also affects retention.
Visual Aids: Studies show that people remember 80% of what they see, 10% of what they hear and 20% of what they read. 
Use imagery when teaching a new concept, or ask the child to conjure up an image or draw something as they learn. The image used will serve as a reminder that helps trigger their working memory. Pay attention to charts and graphs. Use flashcards and note cards to study.
Auditory Aids: Read aloud and repeat. Repeat instructions. Use music or other auditory tools to deliver information.
Tell and Review: When you start a new lesson, tell the child what they will learn. “Today we are going to talk about the difference between a complex sentence and a compound sentence.” Before leaving the lesson, review and summarize.
Encourage Questions: Understanding is the first step to remembering. Encourage your child to ask questions to ensure they comprehend the material. Ask questions of them, as well, to determine their level of understanding.
Reverse Teaching Role: A new task is often understood best, when you practice that task for yourself. Let the child give a lecture and present the material to you or the class. This helps with both understanding and retention.
Active Reading: Read the subject material out loud and break for discussions. Interaction and feedback can make a lasting impression in a child’s mind that can foster better memory. 
Encourage students to highlight key information in their books, or use colorful sticky notes to identify important sections.
Chunking: Introduce new material in small chunks, step by step. Once understanding is reached, additional information can be added. Small chunks of information are also easier to contextualize and remember.
Multisensory Activities: Engage as many senses as possible while you teach. Write on the board or paper if you are sitting next to the child. Allow the child to write on a small white board. Use music to help with memorizing phonetic sounds and facts. Use rhymes, make up a jingle, or create mnemonics or songs. Physical movement while learning something may also help with memory—bouncing a ball, tossing a small object back and forth, and jumping on a trampoline are some repetitive actions that can aid memory.
Using hand motion to learn preposition is a great example of using physical activity to improve memory.
Avoid Cramming: Study ahead and review several times. Cramming activates short term memory but information may not be held for long.
Make Connections: Make connections between prior lessons or information already known to the child. School age children know we have a president. What does the president do? What systems are in place to ensure he doesn’t have complete authority?
Make a list of key words to make possible connections (verbs, adverbs, prepositions)
Mnemonics are a popular method for making connections. Use a silly phrase with the first letter of each word representing the information to remember. Example: “Eat An Apple As A Nice Snack” (7 continents). “My Very Excellent Mother Just Served Us Nuggets” (planets), “Grizzle Bears Don’t Fly Airplanes” (lined notes on the base clef).
Create a mnemonic for the supreme court justices Roberts, Thomas, Alito, Sotomayor, Kagan, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, Barrett, Jackson (“Kiss A Kangaroo Before Going To See Jill’s Recital”).
Repetition is Key: Say and write words/information several times in a row. Encourage children to repeat the instructions back to you.
Eliminate distractions: 
Provide a structured and distraction-free space for learning. Use consistent routines to limit memory demand.
Study Buddy: Have child quiz someone else. When students quiz themselves or others and receive immediate feedback, they are three time more likely to retain the information (Judy Willis, M.D). 
Spark Curiosity: Boosting a child’s curiosity or adding novelty to an experience provides a more memorable outcome.
Children’s attention and memory will be more open to processing and remembering information that comes after a novel experience. Wearing a hat, or costume when introducing a book or historical figure will grab their attention. Playing a song to learn the states and capitals will spark some interest. Even changing their study space at home or in the classroom can have a positive effect. Reading by the firelight for example, provides an association to what is being read and can aid memory. Change things up!
Use Technology Wisely: Limit screen time and ensure tech use is intentional and age-appropriate.
Brain-Breaks: Brain breaks are important during homework and study sessions to keep neurons firing efficiently. The needed time for short breaks varies by age. Elementary children may need a break after 10-15 minutes of concentrated work, while middle and high school students benefit from a break after 20-30 minutes. Brain breaks should occur before fatigue and boredom set in, or before focus is lost. A break can be as short as 3-5 minutes and does not need to disrupt learning. It might include stretching, standing behind the desk, drinking from a water bottle, or moving around the room. Jumping jacks get the blood flowing to the brain! Music can refresh.
During these breaks, the brain can process the newly learned material, because it is not actively taking in new information.
Play Memory Games: Flash cards have long been used to assist children in preparing for a test because they add a visual and repetitive element to studying. Card games like Memory, UNO or Go Fish, can help stretch that memory muscle and boost a child’s working memory. Repeating the sound pattern in the game Simon Says can help develop working memory skills.
Regular exercise: Movement and exercise increase blood flood to the brain which increases concentration and memory.
Consistent, adequate sleep: Routine sleep habits are important for overall health, including brain function, emotions, and the ability to focus.
Feed Your Brain: https://draxe.com/nutrition/brain-foods/
Healthy fats, foods high in Vitamin K, and antioxidant-rich foods, have anti-inflammatory benefits for a healthy brain. Incorporate these foods into your children’s diet for a brain boost.
Conclusion
Because working memory is crucial for cognitive processing and academic success, it is important to consider strategies that help children build this essential skill. Consider incorporating some of these strategies into your child’s routine to develop working memory—laying a foundation for lifelong learning, critical thinking, and improved academic success.