Memory Magic: Strengthening Working Memory
Recently, I learned what I think is a fascinating—and fun—fact while diving deeper into my research on working memory, and I’d love to share it with you. In doing so, I realize I’m outing myself and admitting my ignorance—but I’m reminded that the purpose of this blog is to share useful information, not to show off. So here it goes:
Did you know there’s such a thing as memory (mental) athletes?
Not only was I unaware that this group of people existed, I was astounded to learn that these athletes compete in national and international tournaments! The current USA Memory Championship was won—once again—by six-time champion Nelson Dellis. I’ve already marked my calendar to watch this year's event on August 23rd!
Working Memory is one’s ability to hold information for a short period of time while manipulating the data to complete a task. Some examples might be memorizing a phone number so that you can store it into your contacts in your phone, taking notes while in a workshop, following directions that you were just given -verbally - in order to get to your destination, using your bill to mentally calculate the tip you will leave at a restaurant, or recalling the names of people you just met at a party a few minutes after you were introduced. Our capacity to hold onto information has its limits. In fact, experts suggest that the average person has about 5-7 “spots” to keep information temporarily.
If you are like most people, I’m sure you can recall a time when you left the grocery store without all the items you intended to buy, or when you were a student, had your hand raised in a classroom for so long, that when the teacher finally called on you, you forgot your question?!
Have you ever felt like you simply had too much on your mind?? That’s called cognitive overload and it can feel really frustrating!
Now imagine how our youngest learners - who are still in the process of developing this skill - might feel?
The good news is that we absolutely can help our children to implement strategies that will strengthen their working memory - strategies that you might even already be using for your own sanity! Perhaps it’s just a matter of fine tuning your approach to meet the needs of our younger population. For your consideration, below are some suggestions to try at home with your child:
☞ Remember the old saying: “Patience is a virtue.”
Working memory challenges can lead to frustration—and sometimes even embarrassment—for kids. When they can’t remember something, stress and shame can actually make thinking even harder. That’s why your patience and encouragement matter so much. Reassure your child that needing reminders or support is completely normal. Focus on celebrating effort and progress, not just the final outcome.
☞ Break instructions into manageable chunks.
Multi-step directions can easily overwhelm a child with working memory challenges. Try breaking tasks down step by step. For example, baking together is a great opportunity to practice this: instead of saying, “Let’s make brownies,” walk through each part—first, read the recipe together; next, gather all the ingredients; then, follow each step one at a time. This builds confidence and reinforces sequential thinking.
☞ Use visual aids and daily checklists.
Visuals help reduce the mental load by taking information out of a child’s head and allowing them to see it. Sticky notes, whiteboards, or apps can help older kids track assignments or to-do lists. For younger children, picture schedules can make routines more predictable and easier to follow. Daily checklists also work wonders—especially when they get to check items off as they go. (There’s something so satisfying about crossing things off a list!) These tools help build independence and reinforce memory through repetition and routine.
☞Use Songs, Rhymes, and Mnemonics.
Did you ever use the strategy “Thirty days hath September, April, June and November”, to remember the number of days in each month? Or “righty, tighty, lefty,loosey” to recall which way to turn a screwdriver? Research shows that memory is stronger when information is encoded with rhythm or patterns - in fact, the sillier, the better! Try it with your child when helping them to recall certain facts or routines.
☞Build in Pauses and Processing Time.
Life moves fast, and as parents, we’re often juggling multiple responsibilities at once. But when giving directions to our children, it’s important to slow down. Kids - especially those still developing their executive functioning skills - often need extra time to absorb and process what they’re being asked to do before they act on it.
Try pausing after giving a direction. This gives your child space to think, ask questions, or even repeat back what they heard. That simple pause can boost their understanding and memory - and lead to fewer reminders later.
Working memory is a skill that may require regular “tune-ups” — not just for kids, but for all of us. Understanding that children, teens, and young adults are still developing this ability can help you support them more effectively as they grow. In my coaching practice, we explore many strategies to strengthen working memory, and I've seen how small, consistent steps can lead to big improvements over time.
What’s one strategy you’re willing to try with your child this week?
allisonmaguire.com #working memory #executive function
