Does your child forget things quickly? Let's talk about 'Working Memory'!

Have you ever asked your child to do something, and within a few minutes, your child asks again, "What did Mom/Dad say?"? Or, does he start doing a school project and then look lost in the middle of it? This is a familiar experience for many parents. One of the main reasons for this could be a weakness in the child's 'working memory'. This is especially common among children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

What is 'Working Memory'?

Simply put, Working Memory is a temporary memory store in our brain. It's like the books and pens we keep temporarily on a desk. When we do something, we temporarily hold some of the information we need for it and use it until the task is completed. For example, you tell your child, "Go to the room and get the blue book on the desk." The child remembers this instruction, goes to the room, looks at the desk, selects the blue book, and brings it to you, using his Working Memory.

Don't confuse this with long-term memory. Long-term memory is like a big cupboard in our house. Everything we learn, all our experiences are stored there. When working memory is weak, it can be difficult to transfer new information to this long-term memory.

For a child with working memory impairment,

• It's hard to focus.
• It is difficult to remember and follow the instructions given.
• Forgetting steps in schoolwork and math.
• When you read a story, you forget what you read at the beginning.
• Sometimes they forget what they started.

This condition, like ADHD, when combined with executive function impairments, can have a major impact on a child's daily activities. Executive function is like the "manager" in our brain. It controls planning, organizing, and prioritizing.

But the good news is that working memory is something that can be trained and improved, like a piece of meat. Let's talk about some simple, practical ways to help with that.

Let's improve memory through games.

This ability can be developed through fun games played together with your child.

• Card games: Number matching games and memory card games are very useful. In these games, the child has to remember the rules, remember which card they want, and remember which cards other people have used.
• Word play: While riding in a car, practice saying the letters and numbers on the license plate in order. First, say it yourself, and then have your child say it back. This will improve both listening skills and memory.
• "I went to the store..." game: You say, "I went to the store to get bread." Next, the child should say, "I went to the store to get bread and butter." It's also good practice to take turns collecting each item and saying it from memory.

Let the child teach you.

This is a wonderful method. If a child wants to teach someone something, they must first hold the information in their own head, understand it well, and then use that information to guide the other person.

So when your child learns something new, like how to do a simple number, a line of poetry, or how to roll a ball, ask them to teach you. When you say something like , "Tell me this too, son/daughter, I didn't quite understand," they'll be more than happy to do it. This not only gives their working memory a good workout, but also builds their self-confidence.

Some other practical ways to help

Adding these things to your child's daily life can make a big difference.

Let's help you remember what you read.

When your child is reading a book or lesson, encourage them to engage in 'active reading' rather than just reading along.

• Ask them to underline the parts they think are important.
• Ask them to use highlighters to highlight important words.
• Ask him to simply tell you what he understood from the passage he read.
• Practice taking short notes in a small notebook.

These things help information get stored in the brain, rather than just passing through the eyes.

Use visuals and simple instructions.

For children with working memory difficulties, pictures and lists are like best friends. Let's see how to use them.

Let's create a routine.

A routine is a great way to reduce the burden on working memory. When you do something at the same time every day, in the same order, your child doesn't have to think about it. It just happens.

• Morning routine: Do the same things every day, from the time you wake up until you get ready for school.
• Routine when you get home from school: Create a consistent routine for things like where to take off your shoes, where to put your bag, when to change clothes, when to play for a while, and when to do homework.
• You can also talk to your school teacher about this and ask for help in establishing small routines in class.

Reduce distractions

When a child is studying or doing homework, the TV, phone, and other distractions around them add extra stress to their working memory. It is very important to create an environment that is as quiet and orderly as possible.

Working Memory, improving working memory, ADHD, child health, memory, attention, children's education, executive function, parenting advice