Working Memory

A Singapore-Based Educational Therapist dives into the first component of Executive Functioning.

What you will gain from this article:

1. A brief history of Working Memory

2. Learn how Working Memory Works

3. A quick and simple yet effective technique to enhance working memory capacity

4. Games that help

History

The term ‘working memory’ was first introduced by Miller et al. in 1960. The ‘working memory model’ proposed by Alan Baddeley and Graham Hitch in 1974, redefined the landscape of cognitive psychology. Their groundbreaking work revealed that memory was a complex, multifaceted and dynamic system, which revolutionised the previously oversimplified view of memory being either short-term or long-term. Baddeley’s model also laid the foundation for comprehensive studies in learning, cognitive and education.

Working Memory Model

Working Memory is like the brain’s notepad. It allows the brain to have VIP access to the world. Taking information in, sifting out what is most important and storing the essentials.

1. Sensory Input: The Grand Entrance

   • Imagine a red carpet event for information. Working memory is the celebrity host, welcoming data from your senses. It's the first step in the star-studded cognitive process.

2. Visual-Spatial Sketchpad: Lights, Camera, Mental Images!

   • Cue the mental imagery! The visual-spatial sketchpad is like the brain's Hollywood set designer, helping individuals conjure mental images that steal the spotlight. It's not just attention-grabbing; it's the key to transferring information into the long-term memory hall of fame.

3. Phonological Loop: The Inner Rockstar Voice

   • Ever had a song stuck in your head? That's the phonological loop belting out tunes. It's the rockstar inner voice that rehearses and repeats information, turning mundane details into chart-topping hits in your memory playlist.

4. Episodic Buffer: The Brain's Hollywood Producer

   • Lights, camera, action! The episodic buffer is the brain's Hollywood producer, holding and manipulating information as it takes center stage in the cognitive drama. It's where the magic happens.

Working memory doesn't work alone; it's in a dynamic duet with long-term memory, creating a blockbuster team. It's the cognitive version of a high-stakes performance, with cognitive load (the mental energy needed for the task) and cognitive capacity (the dynamic duo of working memory and long-term memory) taking the stage.

In simpler terms, working memory is your brain's backstage pass to an information extravaganza.

Technique

Digit span, Letter span, Word span are all quick ways to develop Working Memory. It will take no more than five minutes of lesson time and will help with attention, information processing and manipulation.

For younger kids, age 5 and below or students with severe challenges. I like to use the Montessori Sandpaper numbers. I lay out numbers 1 to ten in a 2 by 5 grid. I call out 2 or 3 digits in random order and have the child pick them up.. To make it more playful, I pretend we are calling somebody and have them “dial” the numbers I call out by touching each digit and then say “ring, ring”.

Click here to access a single-paged pdf to help jump start working memory practice

Games

Click to find out more

1. Stare! Junior Board Game

2. SET

3. Blink

4. Rapid Automatic Naming Activities

5. Executive Functioning Activities Library

References

Baddeley A., Hitch G. (1974). Working memory. Psychol. Learn. Motiv. 8 47–89. 10.1016/j.cub.2009.12.014

Miller G. A., Galanter E., Pribram K. H. (1960). Plans and the Structure of Behavior. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company; 10.1037/10039-000