Working Memory... Does yours work?

I remember when i could rattle off someone's phone number without looking it up... Do you? Well, that is working memory. With cell phones, I never have to do that but working memory still plays a vital role in my daily life.
Memory can trip us all up and if you or your child has a learning disability.  her e are some steps to help.

Tracy Packiam Alloway, UNF in Jacksonville, FL says  working memory is your brain's post it notes. It makes all the difference to successful learning.

It involves short term-use of memory and attention. It is a set of skills that keeps information in mind while using that information to complete a task.. Working memory helps us stay involved in something longer and keep more things in mind.

There are two types of working memory that both develop during childhood at a similar rate.
Verbal (auditory) working memory taps into the sound system (phonics). Silently repeating a phone number while dialing it  and does following multi-steps of oral instructions uses this verbal system

Visual-spatial working memory  allows you to picture something and keep it in your mind's eye. We use this to skill to do math problems and remember patterns, images and sequences.

A fifth grader sounding out words reading is relying heavily on working memory.  At this stage, you want reading to be more automatic. If a child can't rely on working memory, reading becomes so painful. If a child can not remember four pieces of information, like a five year old can, and the  teacher talks fast, how can one keep up? Eventually the child disengages.

How do you know if a child has working memory problems? Alloway has helped develop a 22 item checklist. Some behaviors include: fails to complete assignments, raises his hand but forgets what he wanted to ask, forgets how to complete assignments even after it was explained, mixes up materials inappropriately like combing two sentences, or looks like he is daydreaming.

What can you do? Consider formal testing for working memory and not just short-term memory. Students with poor working memory often compensate in other areas. Without intervention students with poor working memory won't catch up over time. Fortunately there are more ways than ever now to help.

For more info, go to
http://www.ncld.org/types-learning-disabilities/executive-function-disorders/what-is-working-memory-why-does-matter