At a Glance: Strategies to Boost Working Memory and Executive Functioning in Children
What is working memory? It’s the mental whiteboard where we jot down details, multi-step instructions, and new information. For some, however, this mental whiteboard feels limited, leading to missed steps, forgotten assignments, and frustration. The good news is that there are practical strategies to enhance working memory and overall executive functioning. In this article, we’ll explore what working memory is and delve into effective methods to support and improve it.
Understanding Working Memory: Working memory is akin to a mental bucket, holding a finite amount of information. It’s crucial for tasks like following multi-step instructions, grasping complex concepts, and solving problems. Yet, for some people, this mental space can feel cramped, leading to forgetfulness and errors.
Recognizing the Signs: It’s essential for parents and teachers to recognize signs of a struggling working memory. Here’s what it might look like:
- Missed steps on more complex homework assignments
- Feedback that work has “careless errors”
- Genuinely forgetting about assignments or chores
- Pausing in the middle of a task and need to be redirected
- Forgotten classroom procedures or struggles to establish routines
- Complete homework, but then not turn it in
- Lost or misplaced frequently used belongings
Recognizing the need to put some effort into working is the first step toward improvement.
Strategies to Enhance Working Memory:
- Externalize Information:
- Planners and Lists: Encourage the use of planners or to-do lists. Writing down tasks and assignments externalizes information, relieving the mental burden.
- Voice Memos and Brain Dumps: Utilize technology like voice memos for quick reminders. Brain dumps before tests can help organize key information.
- Reduce the Load:
- Mindfulness Practices: Introduce mindfulness techniques like meditation or breathwork to enhance focus and reduce distractions.
- Simplify the Environment: Create a quiet, distraction-free workspace. Keep phones away and maintain an organized study area.
- Establish Routines:
- Visual Checklists: Visual aids, such as checklists, help establish routines. Sequential lists can guide tasks, ensuring steps are not missed.
- Consistent Task Order: Encourage completing tasks in the same order daily, reinforcing routines and minimizing the mental load.
- Activate Visual Processing:
- Visual Cues: Incorporate visual cues into routines. Simple reminders, like a post-it note on a backpack, engage visual memory.
- Imagery and Body Language: Encourage imagination, associating information with specific mental locations. Body language and gestures can reinforce instructions effectively.
Crossover Skills: The strategies to support working memory overlap with enhancing organization, task initiation, and information retention. Skills like making lists, breaking tasks into smaller steps, and creating routines are foundational not only for working memory but also for overall executive functioning.
