How to Improve Working Memory

Working memory is a skill we need for everything we do!  From answering the phone to shopping at the grocery store; working memory is happening at every given moment.  Kids who struggle with executive functioning skills often times have working memory challenges.

Working memory Examples

the best way to explain working memory is by looking at examples of working memory in action! We split these examples into sections based on age, because, remember executive functioning skills are developmental. We don’t fully develop executive functioning until mid 20’s so an example of working memory in a young child will look much different than in a middle school aged student.

Preschool Working Memory Examples (Ages ~3–5)

Working memory at this age helps children hold and use small pieces of information for short tasks.

1. Remembering two-step directions (“Get your shoes and your jacket.”)
2. Repeating a short sentence back to an adult
3. Remembering where a toy was placed
4. Following directions in a simple game like Simon Says
5. Remembering the next action in a pretend play sequence
6. Remembering the rules of a simple game
7. Holding a short story in mind while answering a question
8. Remembering which color block to stack next
9. Copying a pattern with blocks
10. Remembering the location of puzzle pieces
11. Finding matching cards in a memory game
12. Remembering which crayon they were using
13. Listening to a short instruction while beginning the task
14. Remembering which cubby belongs to them
15. Repeating numbers or words in a sequence
16. Remembering which snack they chose earlier
17. Remembering what item to bring to the table
18. Keeping track of a turn in a game
19. Remembering a simple song or rhyme
20. Following a classroom routine sequence

Elementary School Working Memory Examples (Ages ~6–10)

Working memory becomes more important for academic tasks and classroom participation.

21. Remembering multi-step instructions from the teacher
22. Holding spelling words in mind while writing them
23. Copying sentences from the board
24. Remembering math steps while solving a problem
25. Remembering story details during reading
26. Keeping track of place while reading a paragraph
27. Remembering homework instructions
28. Listening to directions while gathering materials
29. Following directions during art projects
30. Remembering the next step in a science activity
31. Recalling vocabulary words during discussion
32. Remembering math facts while solving problems
33. Holding numbers in mind during mental math
34. Writing sentences while remembering punctuation rules
35. Remembering classroom rules during group work
36. Keeping track of materials needed for a task
37. Following instructions during PE games
38. Remembering characters and events in a story
39. Completing worksheets with multiple directions
40. Remembering teacher expectations for assignments

Middle School Working Memory Examples (Ages ~11–13)

Working memory supports more complex learning, organization, and reasoning. We also have a resource on middle school occupational therapy.

41. Remembering steps in multi-step math equations
42. Keeping track of information during lectures
43. Following multi-step science experiments
44. Remembering reading assignments across chapters
45. Writing essays while holding ideas in mind
46. Remembering discussion points during group work
47. Keeping track of homework from multiple classes
48. Remembering locker combinations
49. Managing materials for different subjects
50. Remembering instructions for technology tasks
51. Taking notes while listening to a teacher
52. Remembering rules during team sports
53. Keeping track of steps when solving word problems
54. Remembering writing prompts while composing responses
55. Holding multiple ideas during class discussions
56. Organizing ideas during brainstorming
57. Remembering steps while editing writing
58. Managing schedules for classes and activities
59. Remembering expectations for long-term projects
60. Keeping track of multiple assignments

High School Working Memory Examples (Ages ~14–18)

Working memory becomes essential for complex reasoning, studying, and planning. Also check out our resource on high school occupational therapy.

61. Remembering lecture information while taking notes
62. Holding multiple steps in advanced math problems
63. Remembering information during test-taking
64. Managing long reading assignments
65. Organizing ideas for essays or presentations
66. Remembering study materials across subjects
67. Planning steps for projects and reports
68. Holding information while solving complex problems
69. Managing schedules with multiple classes
70. Remembering deadlines and due dates
71. Taking notes while analyzing information
72. Remembering instructions for lab experiments
73. Managing multiple pieces of information during debates
74. Holding research points during presentations
75. Remembering study strategies for exams
76. Managing information during group projects
77. Following complex directions in technical classes
78. Remembering driving rules during learning
79. Tracking information during problem-solving tasks
80. Planning multi-step tasks for assignments

Young Adult Working Memory Examples

Working memory supports independence, decision-making, and job tasks. Here is more on adults and executive functioning.

81. Remembering instructions from supervisors
82. Managing multiple tasks at work
83. Following steps in cooking recipes
84. Holding directions in mind while driving
85. Managing schedules and appointments
86. Keeping track of financial tasks and bills
87. Remembering details during meetings
88. Managing information while studying in college
89. Following multi-step workplace procedures
90. Holding ideas in mind while problem-solving
91. Organizing information for reports or presentations
92. Managing tasks during busy workdays
93. Remembering steps when assembling items
94. Keeping track of items needed for errands
95. Remembering conversation details during discussions
96. Holding instructions while completing projects
97. Managing academic deadlines
98. Remembering passwords or codes temporarily
99. Following instructions during training
100. Planning and executing daily routines independently

working Memory

 Let’s talk about what working memory is and how to improve working memory in kids so they can be successful in those everyday tasks.

What is Working Memory?

Working Memory is the ability to act on past memories and manipulating the information in a new situation.  

Processing short term memories and using it allows us to respond in new situations.  

Working memory allows us to learn. Using working memory skills we can use past information in reading in order to read sight words.  

We can remember math facts, state capitals, mnemonics, phone numbers, addresses, and friends’ names.  We can then use that information to answer questions based on what we know and apply that information in new situations.


Executive functions are heavily dependent on attention.  Read about the attention and executive functioning skill connection and the impact of attention on each of the executive functioning skills that children require and use every day.


In order for working memory to be used in daily tasks, we need a few key items.  Our brain might be considered a memory soup and the key ingredients to working memory are attention, focus, auditory memory and visual-spatial memory.


Read more about visual memory and how to incorporate strategies into play.

Mix all of those ingredients together and you will end up with working memory that can be used to problem solve any given situation.


You can see how children who struggle with the underlying “ingredients” of attention, concentration, auditory processing, and visual processing will be challenged to pull that information into an unrelated event.  The child with sensory processing disorder who is also struggling with social emotional issues might end up in meltdown mode.  The child who can not generalize facts to a new environment might withdrawal.


Read more about attention and how to help kids improve attention with easy strategies for home and school.

All of these situations can potentially lead to difficulty with problem solving. Children are developmentally growing every day in relating past information. Yes, we say thank you EVERY time someone holds the door for us, not just that one time last week.  By going through our day, kids learn these things!


The child who is struggling with any of the key ingredients related to working memory, it can be really hard to generalize.

How to Improve Working Memory

Try these working memory strategies to help improve this executive functioning skill:

1. Take notes
2. Daily Journal- The Impulse Control Journal is a great tool for keeping track of day to day events
3. Notebook with times for daily tasks
4. Practicing the ability to stop and think in practice and in real-life situations. This skill allows one to complete tasks or respond using past experiences.
5. Writing down information (opposed to typing or tracking on an app)
6. Setting an alarm for tasks
7. Second set of school books for home
8. Dry erase board notes to be used in tasks like cleaning a room
9. Mnemonics
10. Guided imagery
11. Mental rehearsing
12. Imagine a task in pictures (like a cartoon strip of a day’s event)
13. Analyzing problem areas
14. Practice through rehearsal
15. Routines
16. Rewards
17. Reminder messages including verbal, picture, or app-based
18. To-do lists with physical action (pull off a post-it note when completed)
19. Task sequencing lists
20. Play memory games, such as matching games or memory card games.
21. Use mnemonic devices to help remember information, such as acronyms or visual cues.
22. Repeat information to yourself multiple times to help solidify it in your memory.
23. Use visualization techniques to create mental images of information you need to remember.
24. Break down complex information into smaller chunks to make it more manageable to remember.
25. Use repetition and rehearsal to help remember important information.
26. Practice active listening by summarizing and repeating back what someone has said to you.
27. Write down important information or ideas to help reinforce them in your memory.
28. Use technology, such as digital reminders or voice memos, to help you remember important information.
29. Practice mindfulness exercises to improve focus and concentration, which can help with working memory.
30. Engage in regular aerobic exercise, which has been shown to improve working memory.
31. Play strategy-based games, such as chess or Sudoku, to help improve working memory skills.
32. Use self-testing or quizzing techniques to help reinforce information in your memory.
33. Break tasks down into smaller steps to make them more manageable to remember.
34. Use different sensory modalities, such as sight and sound, to help reinforce information in your memory.
35. Practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation, to help reduce stress and improve working memory.
36. Engage in activities that challenge your working memory, such as learning a new language or musical instrument.
37. Use context cues or associations to help remember information, such as associating a person’s name with a visual cue or location.
38. Prioritize and focus on the most important information to remember.
39. Get enough sleep, as lack of sleep can negatively impact working memory skills.
40. Repeat complex instructions
41. Break down complex instructions into step-by-step directions with pictures, such as a more detailed version of a visual schedule

Working Memory Activities

In addition to the working memory strategies listed above, there are specific activities you can do to build working memory. Try these ideas:

Digit Recall Activities- Work on repeating numbers in a series. The individual can repeat back numbers in 2 to 3 digit series in both forward and reverse. Then, you can add on additional digits. Continue to grade the digit activities in greater difficulty by adding digits to the thread of numbers or adding letters. To increase the difficulty of this activity even further, ask the individual to write down the series of numbers and letters, and add time in between the given number and when they are asked to recall the series.

Word Sequences- Similar to the number sequences described above, you can use visual pictures of words, or auditory word sequences. Ask the individual to repeat back the series of words.

Ordering Activities- Another great working memory activity is sequential ordering of images or objects by size. You can target this activity to meet the interests of the individual. Think about ordering animals, sports balls, toys, or other items by size. Offer a specific number of items and challenge the individual to remember all of the objects in the series. Increase the difficulty by asking the individual to order objects by largest to smallest and then by smallest to largest.

Instructional Sequencing Activities- This working memory activity focuses on functional tasks and can target goals of the individual. For example, a child working on brushing their teeth can order the steps of the activity from memory. Then, you can ask the child to list the steps in reverse. 

More tools for addressing attention needs in kids

• Includes information on boosting attention through the senses

• Discusses how sensory and learning are connected

• Provides movement and sensory motor activity ideas

• Includes workbook pages for creating movement and sensory strategies to improve attention

A little more about the Attention and Sensory Workbook: 

References:
Gentry, T. (2015, September). Mobile technologies as vocational supports for workers with cognitive-behavioral challenges. Technology Special Interest Section Quarterly, 25(3), 1–4.

Colleen Beck, OTR/L has been an occupational therapist since 2000, working in school-based, hand therapy, outpatient peds, EI, and SNF. Colleen created The OT Toolbox to inspire therapists, teachers, and parents with easy and fun tools to help children thrive. Read her story about going from an OT making $3/hour (after paying for kids’ childcare) to a full-time OT resource creator for millions of readers. Want to collaborate? Send an email to contact@theottoolbox.com.