TAKE-HOME STRATEGY

Supporting Working Memory at Home

Aerial view of child-sized shoes beside backpack

What It's About

Working Memory is the ability to remember and use information while doing a task. Children use their Working Memory when they follow directions, play a game, and remember rules.

The best way to support these skills is to help your child use strategies to keep things in their mind, to give simple and clear instructions, and to use pictures to help them remember what to do in the moment.

ACTIVITY CHOICE BOARD

Here are some ways you can support Working Memory at home. Keep in mind that you can change these activities to work for you and your child, based on their current abilities, interests, and what you have available at home.

Take a look, and try out your favorites!

Visual Schedule

Create a visual schedule for a routine that has multiple steps. Draw each step with your child and post it somewhere for them to see. For example, create squares on a paper and draw the steps of their bedtime routine.

Retell Stories

As you read books and share stories, review what happened in the story or ask your child to retell pieces of a familiar story. For example, look at the pictures and ask questions or talk about what happened.

Dance Party

Have a dance party and create a string of dance moves to remember. For example, clap, stomp, wiggle. See if your child can remember the moves and add their own. Start with two moves and add more as they catch on.

Simon Says

In this game, if you say, “Simon Says” before a direction, children should do it. If you give a direction without saying “Simon Says,” they should stay still. Start with one-step directions, like “Simon Says, get your coat.”

What is Missing?

Place two objects in front of your child. Tell them one object is going to disappear. Have them close their eyes, and place one item out of view. Have them open their eyes and try to figure out which item is missing.

Play Games

Create your own memory match by cutting paper into card-sized pieces and drawing one shape on a piece two times, so they will have a match. Flip the cards face down and take turns flipping them over to find a match.

Quick Cues for Supporting Working Memory

Some things you might do or say to help strengthen your child’s Working Memory

Talk about Remembering

Help your child learn and use strategies for remembering things.

This can sound like:

“You are saying ‘truck-truck-truck.’ That’s helping you remember that you are looking for a truck!”

“I am using this recipe card to help me remember all the steps I need to follow to make dinner.”

“Let me write that on our grocery list. Writing it down helps me remember.”

Give Simple and Clear Directions

Tell your child what to do rather than what not to do.

This can sound like:

“Put your feet on the floor.” Rather than, “Don’t climb on that.”

“Drop your cup in the trash.” Rather than, “Put your cup in the trash, then put your spoon in the sink, and go sit down.”

“Put your shoes on.” Rather than, “Get ready to go outside.”

Use Cues and Visuals

Use pictures and gestures to help children remember what to do.

This can sound like:

“Look at the pictures of how we wash our hands.”

“This sign reminds us to be quiet in the library.”

“We have 2 things to do before we leave. First, (holding up one finger) we have to put our coats on, then (holding up a second finger) we have to get our bags.”

Our Book Recommendations for Supporting Working Memory

Engaging stories that support children’s Working Memory
Hide and Seek book cover

Hide and Seek

Written and illustrated by Taro Gomi, this book supports young children to develop working memory by providing visuals to refer back to as they look for objects hidden within the illustrations.

Have fun with it: 
Go on a scavenger hunt and ask your child to find well-known objects around the room or in your home.

Chimpanzees for Tea

Chimpanzees for Tea!

Written and illustrated by Jo Empson, this story is about a boy who goes shopping for his mother. But when he loses the grocery list, Vincent has a hard time remembering what he needs to buy!

Have fun with it:
Write a grocery list with your child before heading to the store and use it together to remember items to buy.

More Strategies

We’re creating a library of resources like these so families can quickly and easily promote children’s development at home. Be sure to see all the strategies we have available!

visit our take-home strategy library