Mindprint Toolbox

Search Results

Please wait...

Stronger Short-Term Memory (Bb)

Tags

Social-Emotional Learning All Ages Strategy

Skills

Working Memory

Stronger Short-Term Memory (Bb)

If your student has strong working memory and you want to build self-awareness particularly around mental math and problem solving

What It Is

Nurturing your strong short-term (or working) memory can help you effectively solve problems and follow directions. Your working memory helps you hold multiple bits of information in short-term memory (about 15-30 sec) so you can apply them during multi-step tasks -- sort of like a juggler who can handle three balls in the air at once.

When It Matters

You use your working memory when you are doing math in your head, remembering the details of a conversation, following multi-step directions, or translating in a foreign language. Strong working memory comes in handy during everyday tasks too, such as following directions and remembering people's names in social situations.

Making Best Use Of Your Strong Working Memory

  1. Your good working memory can help you finish assignments more quickly. However, rather than just handing in your assignment early, use the extra time to check your work and improve your performance.
  2. Be a better note taker. Your working memory should enable you to jot down key phrases rather than the verbatim notes your classmates might need to remember. Use that extra time to more deeply consider what your teacher is saying and strengthen your understanding.
  3. Working memory can be a great social skill. People really appreciate it when you remember their name or the details of a story they shared. Use their name in conversation or relate back to the details of their story.
  4. Don't let yourself become over-confident. In elementary school it may have been easy to juggle the information in your head, but as the the amount and complexity of work increases in middle and high school, you might need to adjust your methods. Even if you think you can solve that challenging math problem in your head, use scrap paper to show your work. You may not need to write every detail as some of your peers, but enabling your teacher and yourself to follow your methodology later will be important to ensure your understanding and catch mistakes.
  5. Writing will grow more complex too. While it may have been easy to keep all your ideas in your head for a paragraph or two, for longer papers you will want to jot down your ideas on paper and organize your thoughts in outlines before diving in.
  6. Strong working memory is really helpful in group projects, where the team must balance multiple ideas and instructions. Here are ways to leverage your strong working memory during group work.