Working memory is important for our learners and it is needed for them to reach optimal learning and development. It helps students to improve attention spans and retain directions, solve math problems, supports learning how to read and comprehend text, and is even important in sports! Our memory capacity is vital to our learning and activities in daily life so it is important to improve upon our memory abilities.
Below are 10 different ideas that include fun learning activities for working memory - from visual memory and basic memory activities to brain puzzles.
1. Suitcase Send-off
This is a memory game for 2-4 players of multiple age ranges. Kids must pack each suitcase with certain pieces of clothing based on one of the 4 seasons, but they must remember what clothing items they put in each suitcase.
Learn more: Jill Kuzma's SLP Social & Emotional Skill Sharing Site
2. Shadow Patterns
This website has several fun mind game activities that get students working on memory skills. Each of the memory brain exercises has a different theme and you can choose the difficulty - child or adult mode. These games hames each help to foster working memory and are easily accessible.
Learn more: Tiny Tap
3. Neuronup.us
This website has several fun mind game activities that get students working on memory skills. Each of the memory brain exercises has a different theme and you can choose the difficulty - child or adult mode. These games hames each help to foster working memory and are easily accessible.
Learn more: Neuron Up
4. Memory Improvement Tips
This site gives several card games that you can use to improve working memory. The games vary on difficulty and you can play the games based on color, number, symbol, etc. All you need to do these games is a set of playing cards and the rules!
Learn more: Memory Improvement Tips
5. Retelling Stories and Using Sequencing
This helps to improve working memory and is also great for comprehension. You can use story task cards as part of a classroom game to help students during reading. They are also great for students with learning disabilities since they are highly visual.
Learn more: Early Learning HQ
6. Neuroscience for Kids
This includes an excellent collection of strategies that help support memory development. The majority of these games are easy to quickly play in the classroom environment - games like "Face Memory" and "What's Missing". It also includes options for online short-term memory games as well.
Learn more: Neuroscience for Kids
7. PhysEd Fit
PhysEd Fit has a youtube channel that helps get kids to use their memory in action through an exercise routine. These videos are short enough to use for a quick brain break to help improve weak working memory in a fun way!
Learn more: Phys Ed Fit
8. Learning Words for Kids
If you have students with poor working memory when it comes to mental math, then try some of the strategies provided here. It provides suggestions for programs that will help students improve their math skills with their working memory.
Learn more: Learning Works for Kids
9. Memory / Concentration Game
This game includes basic strategies that are easy for parents to implement at home. Some examples are: "I Went Shopping" - where kids have to list and remember food items they bought at the store and "What's Missing" where they must look at a group of items, then one is taken out and they must determine which is gone.
Learn more: Childhood 101
10. Cosmic Yoga
One thing that research has shown to help improve working memory and mind wandering is mediation and yoga. Cosmic Yoga is a kid-friendly yoga youtube channel that teaches kids mindfulness. It is great to make as part of your daily routine and you will see it will help students to be more focused.
Learn more: Cosmic Kids Yoga
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