{"id":27464,"date":"2024-10-17T11:11:52","date_gmt":"2024-10-17T10:11:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings-new\/?page_id=27464"},"modified":"2025-05-15T18:06:24","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T17:06:24","slug":"how-to-support-students-with-working-memory-difficulties","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/areas-of-need\/cognition-and-learning\/devon-spld\/dyslexia-guides\/how-to-support-students-with-working-memory-difficulties\/","title":{"rendered":"No. 11 Working memory difficulties &#8211; staff"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column doc-aside is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<aside class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#what-is-working-memory\">What is working memory?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#why-is-working-memory-crucial-for-learning\">Why is working memory crucial for learning?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#characteristics-of-students-with-poor-working-memory\">Characteristics of students with poor working memory<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#how-to-support-students-with-working-memory-problems\">How to support students with working memory problems<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#praise-and-motivation\">Praise and motivation<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#where-can-i-find-out-more\">Where can I find out more?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#contacts\">Contacts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"document-download-acf-block clearfix \" id=\"block_acf-block-68261f0e7a129\">\r\n\r\n\t\t<div class=\" dcc-documents-downloads hide-for-print\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget dcc-documents-widget-block\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget-box2\"><div class=\"content-container\"><div class=\"content-column download-copy\"><h2 class=\"dcc-documents-title\">Document resources<\/strong><\/h2><p class=\"dcc-documents-intro\">These files may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"content-column download-button\"><ul class=\"dcc-documents-widget-dropdown dcc-documents-widget-menu\"><li class=\"dcc-documents-widget-is-dropdown\"><button class=\"button secondary dcc-documents-widget-noarrow dcc-documents-widget-button dcc-documents-widget-download-button\" >Download<\/button><ul id=\"\" class=\"dcc-documents-widget-vertical dcc-documents-widget-menu dcc-documents-widget-is-submenu\" data-disable-hover=\"true\" data-click-open=\"true\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/devoncc.sharepoint.com\/:b:\/s\/PublicDocs\/Education\/EZgIiB5kum5Aqrs0u67p0IIBL93XHAQBr1YVuqsHWpJ_tw?e=K7WbRX\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"dcc-documents-widget-text\"><span>No. 11 Working memory difficulties &#8211; staff (Document)<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"dcc-documents-cpt-fixed dccdocs-sticky dccdocs-hidden\">\r\n    <div class=\"grid-container\">\r\n        <div class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x\">\r\n            <div class=\"cell medium-12\">\r\n                <a class=\"back-to-top hide-for-print\" href=\"#content\"><svg class=\"app-c-back-to-top__icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"13\" height=\"17\" viewBox=\"0 0 13 17\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M6.5 0L0 6.5 1.4 8l4-4v12.7h2V4l4.3 4L13 6.4z\"><\/path><\/svg> Contents<\/a>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column doc-content is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n<article class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-working-memory\"><strong>What is working memory?<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Working memory is the ability to hold information in your head and mentally manipulate it over short periods of time. It is a mental workspace that we can use to store information in the course of our mental activities. Difficulties with working memory make it hard to hold information in \u2018temporary storage\u2019 or work with it \u2013 for example, difficulty in remembering and following instructions, or forgetting what has recently been said. Poor working memory is characteristic of children with many kinds of learning difficulties. These include individuals with language impairments, with difficulties in reading and mathematics (including dyslexia), with some forms of ADHD and with developmental coordination disorder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"why-is-working-memory-crucial-for-learning\"><strong>Why is working memory crucial for learning?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Working memory provides a mental workspace in which to hold information in mind whilst engaged in other relevant activities.&nbsp; Students need this memory on a daily basis at school for a variety of tasks, such as following teachers\u2019 instructions or remembering sentences they have been asked to write down. Students with a difficulty in working memory can often expend more effort than other children in completing a task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"characteristics-of-students-with-poor-working-memory\"><strong>Characteristics of students with poor working memory<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Have difficulty staying engaged in class.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Need more time and repetition.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Often give an inconsistent performance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have difficulty following instructions or directions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make poor academic progress, especially in reading and maths.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lose their place in complicated tasks that they may eventually abandon.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Need to constantly read and re-read text<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Behave as though they have not paid attention, for example forgetting part or all of instructions or messages, or not seeing tasks through to completion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Are considered by their teachers to have short attention spans and also to be easily distracted.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-support-students-with-working-memory-problems\"><strong>How to support students with working memory problems<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Recognise working memory failures <\/strong>\u2013 if a student displays any of the characteristics above it may be necessary to try and reduce working memory demands and loads (see below) for those specific students.&nbsp; For example:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Avoid activities that require the student to remember lengthy instructions, number sequences, lengthy sentences etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Reduce working memory loads if necessary <\/strong>\u2013 to limit working-memory-related failures, working memory loads in structured activities should be decreased.&nbsp; For example:<ul><li>Reduce the amount of material to be stored (shorter sentences to be written or items to be remembered).<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Encourage memory aids \u2013 lists of key words available, provide printed notes\/handouts prior to or during lessons.<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Give information or instructions in verbal and visual formats.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Frequently repeat important information <\/strong>\u2013 it is good practice to repeat information during classroom tasks or activities.&nbsp; For example:<ul><li>Break down whole activities into simple steps<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Encourage students to have the confidence to ask for instructions to be repeated or to clarify activities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Encourage the use of memory aids <\/strong>\u2013 a variety of tools to support working memory are already available in schools.&nbsp; For example:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Memory cards<strong>, <\/strong>Dictaphones, personalised dictionaries, teacher notes, wall charts etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Develop the child\u2019s use of memory-relieving (or enhancing) strategies <\/strong>\u2013 the student should be encouraged to take responsibility for developing and using strategies for overcoming memory problems.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Using memory aids<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Breaking tasks down into manageable chunks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Students should be encouraged to build confidence in asking for help and asking staff to go over important information when it has been forgotten.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It may be necessary to teach students to over-learn material: students should be taught the necessity of &#8220;over-learning&#8221; new information (new vocabulary\/terminology, symbols, etc).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Students should be encouraged to be active readers: highlighting words, underlining, jotting down key words in margins enhance working memory. Re-reading highlighted words, underlinings etc will consolidate information in the long-term memory.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Encourage students to organise their ideas graphically (using flow charts, wheels, venn diagrams).&nbsp; Some good examples can be found on https:\/\/www.hmhco.com).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Practice the retrieval of information by setting tests \u2013 these tests can be answered individually, in pairs, small groups, etc.&nbsp; Students can be involved in setting each other tests.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Encourage students to use cues to retrieve information.&nbsp; For example, mnemonics or acronyms act as a cue for learning and recalling information.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"praise-and-motivation\"><strong>Praise and motivation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Praise can be a natural motivator as long as the student feels the praise is genuine and deserved. It is important to let him\/her know why he\/she is being praised rather than just provide praise.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It can be easy for the student with working memory difficulties to be discouraged. It is crucial that motivation is maintained. One of the best motivators is success. If steps are small enough and targets are realistic, then students will achieve some success and this will provide motivation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"where-can-i-find-out-more\"><strong>Where can I find out more?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Mind Mapping\u00a9 is usually an effective way to remember items visually, and this technique also helps to organise items. The Mind Map\u00a9 Book by Tony Buzan (BBC Books) provides good examples of the use of this strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"contacts\">Contacts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"mailto:DevonSpld@devon.gov.uk\">DevonSpLD<\/a><a href=\"mailto:DevonSpld@devon.gov.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">@devon.gov.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"mailto:%20deborah.lynch@qe.devon.sch.uk\">deborah.lynch@qe.devon.sch.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"mailto:%20ann.atherton@qe.devon.sch.uk\">ann.atherton@qe.devon.sch.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"mailto:%20rebecca.hughes@qe.devon.sch.uk\">rebecca.hughes@qe.devon.sch.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"mailto:%20ossian.pleasance@qe.devon.sch.uk\">ossian.pleasance@qe.devon.sch.uk<\/a><\/p>\n<\/article>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"document-meta-acf-block clearfix \" id=\"block_acf-block-68261f0e7a14e\"><div class=\" dcc-documents-meta\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget dcc-documents-widget-block\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget-box2\"><p class=\"dcc-documents-published\"><span>Published<\/span> <time datetime=\"2024-10-17T11:11:52+00:00\">17\/10\/2024 11:11am<\/time><\/p><p class=\"dcc-documents-updated\"><span>Last Updated<\/span> <time datetime=\"2025-05-15T18:06:24+00:00\">15\/05\/2025 6:06pm<\/time><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is working memory? Working memory is the ability to hold information in your head and mentally manipulate it over short periods of time. It [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2755,"featured_media":0,"parent":27416,"menu_order":10,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"longdocument-template.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-27464","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"updated":"","dccdocs_documents":[{"title":"No. 11 Working memory difficulties - staff","file":"https:\/\/devoncc.sharepoint.com\/:b:\/s\/PublicDocs\/Education\/EZgIiB5kum5Aqrs0u67p0IIBL93XHAQBr1YVuqsHWpJ_tw?e=K7WbRX","file_size":"","unit_type":"KB","file_type":"Document"}],"section-guidance":"","sections":null},"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-11 13:03:22","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27464","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2755"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27464"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27464\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32487,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27464\/revisions\/32487"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27416"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27464"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}