Working memory isn’t just about remembering something, instead it is the ability to store information for a short period of time and manipulate it. It is not about being able to memorise facts but to be able to remember information needed to actively ‘do’ things.
We use working memory as adults; for example, when we are following directions. Some children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) may find activities that involve working memory particularly tricky. You may notice this if children are finding it difficult to follow tasks that have more than one step or perhaps they appear to be more distracted as they are struggling to organise lots of input.
There are lots of play-based activities you can do with young children to help develop working memory skills through play. Here are two suggestions:
SALT DOUGH DINOSAUR FOSSILS
Suitable for: toddlers and pre-schoolers
Practising following a recipe can be really useful for helping to develop working memory skills, but it doesn’t have to be just recipes for edible treats; instead, why not make salt dough dinosaur fossils together! They are surprisingly easy to create and just the right amount of mess to make it fun!
Note: they are not edible and as a result you will need to risk-assess.
Equipment
Three-quarters of a cup of water, one cup of table salt, two cups of flour, a mixing bowl, a mixing spoon and small plastic toy dinosaurs.
How to
- Together with the children, mix the water, salt and flour in a bowl. Allow them to follow your instructions in order to practise their working memory skills.
- Then take the dough out of the bowl, place on a floured surface and knead.
- Split the dough into several hand-sized balls.
- Choose a plastic dinosaur toy and push the toy into the salt dough and remove to make an imprint. If you press the body into it, it then creates a ‘fossil’. Or, if the children would prefer to make footprints, they can press a toy’s feet into it.
- Leave to dry, either overnight air drying or in an oven for an hour or so at a very low temperature (checking regularly until hard).
Alternatives
It may help to use visuals (pictures or drawings) of each of the steps to enable children to understand the stages of making the salt dough.
Extension activity
Once dry, paint them to make them look more realistic.
Skills developed
- Problem-solving
- Motor skills
- Sensory integration
- Working memory
BALL SLIDE
Suitable for: babies and toddlers
This lovely ‘cause and effect’ activity is great for very young children to start to practise working memory skills through play. While playing this activity, children are learning to remember simple steps in a sequence to make something happen.
Equipment
Cardboard tube, small soft ball (ensure it is large enough not to be a choking hazard), tape.
How to
- Tape the cardboard tube in a vertical position to a wall that the child is able to reach.
- Let them watch you pick up the ball, put the ball into the top of the tube and watch it fall out of the bottom. Then repeat.
- Pass them the ball to have a go. Use words and gestures to support and encourage them.
Alternatives
Instead of posting a ball down a tube, they could post a piece of paper into a cardboard box with a slit cut out (like a pretend post box). Then open the box up to retrieve the paper and start again.
Extension activity
Try using different-coloured balls and ask the children to post a certain colour down the tube to help with colour recognition and further develop their working memory skills.
Skills developed
- Concentration
- Language and communication
- Problem solving
- Motor skills
- Working memory.
ABOUT THIS SERIES
This is the final article in an eight-part series on practical ways to support the development of essential skills.
Georgina Durrant is author of 100 Ways Your Child Can Learn Through Play, a book of play- based activities for children with special educational needs. She is a former teacher/SENDCO, private tutor and the founder of The SEN Resources Blog: www.senresourcesblog.com. Twitter: @senresourceblog Facebook: @senresourcesblog Instagram: @thesenresourcesblog
