Working memory is necessary for all of us to conduct our lives. For me, 3 is the magic number. If you give me driving directions, I can remember 3 turns. I can remember to buy 3 things at the store or run 3 errands, but for more than that, I need to write them down. Many of us overestimate what we will remember, resulting in forgotten items or forgotten assignments. In my experience, when children are given instructions by their teachers or parents, they can typically remember only 3 items as well. This is why savvy teachers provide students with written as well as oral instructions.

Working memory is a temporary storage place in the prefrontal cortex of the brain for information we need to process and manipulate. it is used for task management, reading, writing, math, and every other academic subject. Humans make thousands of decisions each day, and we use working memory to tell us what to do and how to do it. Some people have stronger working memories that can hold more items, but all of us can fortify our working memories with various strategies.

Accommodations for Working Memory

Write it Down

Many of us use the notes features on our phones, a Google calendar, or an app to write our lists and schedules. According to ADHD expert Russell Barkley, using paper and pencil or pen works best. The process of writing helps you remember things better than typing. For many people, it is easier to follow a list that is right in front of you than having to open an application on your phone. Many families work well with a giant calendar on the refrigerator to keep track of all family activities.

Use a Notebook

Because I have trouble keeping track of multiple sources, I keep everything I have to do in one spiral notebook. I highlight urgent tasks and cross out tasks that are completed. I like having everything in one place. For those who prefer to be online, Google Calendar includes a similar system to keep track of tasks.

Practice Self-Talk

Narrating tasks as you are doing them helps process the information. If you are giving your children instructions, ask them to repeat them back to you to make sure they have processed the information.

Use imagery

Viewing a picture can be more useful than reading text. Students can draw their own pictures or find them online. The picture can include a task, goal or reward.

Break Down Information into Chunks

Most of us become overwhelmed when there is too much information. I have known many students, including myself, who can’t bear to read a textbook because it is just too much. Any time this happens, you can break down the information into chunks that can be absorbed in a reasonable time period. We can also remember specific information such as a phone number by breaking it down into groups of 3 and 4.

Minimize Distractions and Reduce Multi-tasking

Many of us love to multi-task, and sometimes it works well – generally when one of the two things you are doing is mindless, like folding laundry or listening to background music. But when both tasks require thought and reasoning, they cannot be done at the same time. Research has shown that while you may think you are multitasking, the brain actually flips from one thing to another, which is not the most efficient way to get anything done. It is better to focus on one task at a time while keeping everything else out of the way and putting “do not disturb” on your phone.

Use Mnemonic Strategies

This includes word associations, drawing a picture, and acronyms. I remember the mathematical order of operations with Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction). One person told me he remembers names with word association. To remember a girl’s French name, he envisioned her with an Eiffel tower on her head.

Tell a Story

We can remember all sorts of details if they are part of a story. A video explaining the Magna Carta Technique was supplied by “Beyond Booksmart” in Justice Abbott’s article How to Improve Working Memory for Kids. In this video, a teacher encourages a student to remember the year the Magna Carta was written (1215) and other details by visualizing King George and the noblemen, including their outfits and a clock in the background that says 12:15. I will now always remember this date.

These are just some of the ways we can improve our working memories, and students can use these techniques to remember tasks, homework, and instructions. By fortifying our working memories with accommodations, we will feel more confident about running our lives efficiently and reaching our goals.

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