Watching your child struggle with simple tasks can be quite devastating for parents. You may notice them forgetting basic numbers, having difficulty following instructions, or becoming easily frustrated during regular activities.
For parents of neurodivergent children, these challenges can feel overwhelming and concerning. You may find yourself questioning your child’s intelligence or even your own parenting efforts. Rest assured, it’s neither of those.
In many cases, the difficulty lies in working memory. It is a vital brain function that allows children to grasp information and use it to complete tasks. For children with ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions, working memory challenges are common because their brains process information differently.
The good news is that it can be strengthened with the right support and science-backed strategies. If you’re wondering how to improve working memory in a child, then you are in the right place.
This blog will serve as your guide to understanding working memory, recognizing the issues, and finding solutions.
What is Working Memory?
A parent must understand that there are different types of memory. Each of them plays a crucial role in how children function and learn every day.
You might already know about short-term and long-term memory. A human has a short-term memory, which briefly stores information. The long-term memory holds knowledge and experiences over time.
However, working memory is slightly different and is equally important. It is an executive function that allows children to temporarily hold information in their minds.
A child uses their memory to perform simple tasks and ideate. It helps them follow instructions, solve problems, and stay focused during everyday activities.
For many neurodivergent children, especially those with ADHD, this process can be challenging. Since their brains process and organize information differently, their working memory is often slow.
Everyday examples of working memory include remembering the steps to solve a sum, recalling a phone number, and more.
Working memory plays a significant role in academic growth, more than IQ or short-term memory. If your little one starts struggling with simple instructions at home or school, it may indicate a working memory deficit.
In such situations, a parent must immediately look for signs. It will help you, teachers, and the therapist to prepare a supportive plan.
What are the Signs of Working Memory Problems in Kids?
Children with working memory challenges are often misunderstood. Many individuals may consider these difficulties as laziness, carelessness, or inattentiveness.
When in reality, it’s their brain that is struggling to hold onto information. It faces difficulty in processing the information further.
For neurodivergent children, the challenge becomes tougher as their working memory has limited capacity. Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), or Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) often face issues with learning.
Your little one might not face difficulty in answering direct questions, or they may find it tough to learn a new skill.
It is therefore essential to recognize these symptoms earlier. This approach will help you understand and learn how to improve working memory.
Here are the signs of poor working memory problems in kids:
- Forgetting instructions – Your child may struggle to remember multi-step directions shortly after hearing them. This can cause frustration for both parent and child when trying to complete homework.
- Difficulty Completing Tasks – They might start a task but leave it unfinished. It impacts schoolwork and daily routines.
- Frequent Reminders – Your little one might need repeated instructions even for simple tasks like daily chores, homework, or activities.
- Trouble Following Sequences – A child might be struggling to follow steps in math problems or games.
- Challenges with Organizing – Unable to organize or arrange the items. They may be constantly misplacing school materials or personal items.
- Struggles with Mental Calculations – Facing issues with holding numbers in mind when solving maths. The child may show irritation towards simple problems.
- Constant Frustration – Children may avoid tasks that require using their memory. They will show frustration when asked to recall information.
- Difficulty Learning New Skills – They find it challenging to learn new patterns or skills. Even if they learn it, applying the same principles will be tough.
How to Improve Working Memory in a Child?
Now that you know how to identify the signs of working memory issues in your child, let’s move on to the next topic.
Noticing a memory problem in your child can be incredibly saddening. You might start thinking about the reasons and worrying about their future.
Rather than worrying about possibilities, it is vital to look for solutions. Supporting your child’s working memory starts with consistent and simple strategies that fit into daily life.
You can break the tasks into smaller steps using visual aids to help your child retain memory. Repeating the instructions also proves to be fruitful.
These approaches will improve memory skills and boost your child’s confidence. With patience and the right techniques, you can help your child navigate daily challenges more successfully.
Here are some tips on how to strengthen working memory:
Break Tasks into Smaller Steps
Your little one needs time to fully understand the instructions. Forcing the child to complete the task at once will cause pressure on the brain. Instead of giving a long set of instructions, divide them into short, manageable parts.
It allows your child to focus on finishing one task at a time. For instance, rather than asking them to brush their teeth, take a bath, and pack the bag at once, give them one instruction at a time.
Over time, this method will train their brain to process information more effectively. Dividing the tasks into small steps also helps your child feel the joy of success. They will feel confident and motivated.
Use Visual Aids
Visual training is the best form of exercise for tiny minds. Visual training is the best form of exercise for tiny minds. It is helpful as the human brain processes and preserves visual information better. Using checklists, charts, diagrams, and color-coded schedules serves as a guide for children to retain information.
Visual reminders reduce the strain on working memory as they provide a source for reference. For instance, you can use a morning routine chart with pictures of each step to encourage your child to get ready independently.
Visual aids encourage independence and minimize the need for continuous verbal reminders. As a parent, try using visual supports to slowly strengthen your little one’s ability to hold information in mind while completing tasks.
Repeat and Reinforce Instructions
Repetition is key to memory retention. You can encourage your child to repeat tasks back to you after every instruction. Such habits reinforce understanding and processing.
Let’s say you ask them to set the dinner and give them a set of instructions. The next thing you can do is ask them verbally to list the requirements. Try revisiting the instructions periodically throughout the day to strengthen memory.
Such a thoughtful approach will strengthen their working memory and also develop listening and grasping skills.
Memory-Focused Games
A parent can try using games to improve working memory in a child. Playful activities can stimulate brain function and help build cognitive reserve. Simple games like matching cards, recall games, or Simon says will challenge the brain in a fun way.
Since it is engaging, the child won’t feel frustrated or diverted. You can always download interactive ADHD game apps that aid in improving the working memory of children.
These games are built with the guidance of psychiatrists and psychologists to make memory-building enjoyable rather than a chore. Even physical games, like remembering cooking steps, will help practice.
Try incorporating games into the routine in a time-constrained way to support your child’s memory building, focus, and attention.
Established Routines
A structured daily routine reduces the cognitive load on the working memory of the child. It is helpful as the little ones know what to expect, reducing strain on their brain.
Morning and evening routines, set homework times, and meal schedules offer a sense of stability. When children know their tasks, their brains can recall the memory to solve the immediate situations.
They use their problem-solving skills instead of depending on remembering what comes next. Over time, a fixed routine would help the kid adapt to sequences and advance memory skills.
Encourage Physical Activity and Sleep
Physical activity and sleep are the two top working memory recommendations. It stimulates brain function, enhances attention, and memory retention. Activities like cycling, swimming, or even short walks can help strengthen focus.
Adequate sleep is equally critical to help the brain refresh. It is an essential step, as memory consolidation usually occurs when the child is asleep.
Always make sure that the child gets enough rest, at least eight hours of sleep. Set a time for exercise to support overall brain and physical health. With regular practice, you would help your child enhance their working memory.
Positive Reinforcement
Every kid loves praise and appreciation. Make sure to applaud your child for every effort and progress. Rather than looking for perfection, look for ways to encourage the little one.
These little actions will motivate the child to continue practicing memory skills. For instance, try acknowledging your child when he completes a task independently.
Positive reinforcement builds confidence and encourages a progressive mindset. Kids who feel heard and supported are more likely to take on challenging tasks without fear. Their confidence will become the key to their memory improvement.
How to Improve Working Memory In a Child With ADHD?
You already know that children with ADHD face unique working memory challenges. It is due to their brain functioning that processes and organizes information uniquely.
While general strategies are quite useful, they are not sufficient in handling the needs. It is always better to use ADHD-specific techniques that focus on engagement and structure.
Here’s how to improve working memory in a child with ADHD:
One-Step Instructions
Children with ADHD often struggle with poor working memory. They often get confused when you give multiple instructions at once. Try giving a single instruction at a time to reduce their cognitive overload.
Such practices effectively increase the likelihood of task completion. For instance, instead of saying arrange your toys, finish your meal, and go to sleep, give the instructions one at a time.
Make sure to keep a gap between each task to give the child the appropriate time to relax. Encourage your child to repeat each step before performing it. It is an effective approach that allows them to focus fully on one task, thereby strengthening memory retention.
Use External Memory Aids
Since your child is so special, why restrict yourself to using a conventional teaching method? Use tools like stickers, timers, notes, or phone reminders to support the memory.
Children with ADHD may forget tasks despite knowing them. It is where using external aids offers reminders without adding stress. You can set calendar notes on your smart device as a reminder for homework sessions.
It will help them speed up their work and maintain deadlines. Visual schedules for daily routines minimize clutter in the child’s mind. It allows their brain to focus on processing information. These aids also make them independent and confident over time.
Incorporate Movement
For an ADHD child, structured activities and short breaks help reset focus. It enhances their memory processing power. They often have difficulty sustaining attention, so movement helps calm their brain.
Even simple exercises like stretching or a quick walk around the room can prove helpful. Incorporating movement between memory tasks improves retention. You can also teach your little one meditation techniques to help them focus better.
The best part is that your child will feel less frustrated and more motivated. It will also turn the challenging tasks into manageable segments.
Collaborate With Teachers and Therapists
Consistency is the key to enhancing working memory. As a parent, you can help your child work on working memory only at home. For different environments like school, you need the help of teachers.
Communicating strategies with teachers ensures that they are using similar strategies at the school. You can work with all the therapists to plan targeted exercises.
It will help you to track progress and find solutions that contribute to your child’s holistic growth. Coordination helps children practice memory skills in different settings.
Interactive ADHD-Friendly Games
The best way to support your special child’s needs is by learning how to improve ADHD working memory through games. Hands-on activities can make memory practice enjoyable.
Games like step-sequences or board games help exercise working memory. Nowadays, with digitalization, you can get ADHD-specific games developed in coordination with specialists.
These games help sustain shorter attention spans while challenging the brain. Games have short missions, gentle sensory design, and an interactive interface that makes learning fun. Beautiful visuals make the exercises engaging, thereby strengthening memory retention and attention skills.
Enhance Your Child’s Working Memory with Games from ChomChom Tech
How to improve working memory in a child is a concern of many parents with an ADHD or neurodivergent child. The answer lies in being patient, understanding, and finding solutions that support holistic development.
In this regard, using consistent and science-backed strategies can support the child’s brain in processing information. Moreover, by breaking tasks into smaller steps, using visual aids, and repeating instructions, parents can significantly reduce cognitive overload.
Game-based learning is one of the top ways to help improve the ADHD child’s working memory. It transforms memory practice into an enjoyable experience.
At ChomChom Tech, we’ve created an ADHD-friendly game app designed to strengthen your child’s working memory through fun, engaging activities. Our bite-sized games encourage focus, creativity, and problem-solving for children aged 4 to 12.
With regular, scheduled play, parents can also discover how to teach critical thinking to kids online at home.
Take the first step towards supporting your child’s memory, attention, and confidence with ChomChom Tech.
