Understanding Working Memory

Working memory is how your brain stores information for a short period of time and how much you can fit on this ‘post-it note’ hugely influences how well you do at school and beyond. Understanding working memory means your students will be able to better support children’s learning and concentration in their teaching setting.

Most children have a working memory that is strong enough to quickly find the book and open to the correct page, but some don't - approximately 10% in any classroom. A student who loses focus and often daydreams may fall in this 10%. A student who isn't living up to their potential may fall in this 10%. A student who may seem unmotivated may fall in this 10%. In the past, many of these students would have languished at the bottom of the class, because their problems seemed insurmountable and a standard remedy like extra tuition didn't solve them. But emerging evidence shows that many of these children can improve their performance by focusing on their working memory. Working memory is a foundational skill in the classroom and when properly supported it can often turn around a struggling student's prospects.

Understanding working memory can be particularly useful when working with children with conditions such as dyslexia, ADHD and autistic spectrum disorder, where poor working memory is thought to be an underlying factor.

New to this edition are:

• A new chapter looking at the earliest years of learning
• A new chapter on emotional difficulties and working memory
• A clear chapter structure which looks at the what, where, why and how for every difficulty.

This book will make sure you are able to spot problems early and work with children to improve their working memory and ensure they reach their full potential.

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Table of Contents

Epilogue by Kim Grant

Chapter 1: Our Brain's Post-it-note

Chapter 2: Diagnosing Working Memory

Chapter 3: Specific Learning Disorder: Reading Difficulties (Dyslexia)

Chapter 4: Specific Learning Disorder: Maths Difficulties (Dyscalculia)

Chapter 5: Developmental Coordination

Chapter 6: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Chapter 7: Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Chapter 8: Anxiety Disorders (by Evan Copello)

Chapter 9: Student Strategies and Training

Appendix: Working Memory strategies table

Epilogue by Kim Grant

"This is a clearly written and well-organised book, providing valuable information about working memory and how it can affect individuals' learning and progress in an educational context. It is a 'must read' for all teachers and support assistants in primary and secondary schools. Many parents are likely to find the book of interest to them if they have a child with any of the disorders discussed in the book. Undergraduate psychology students would also benefit from reading this book as background understanding to working memory in context - the references and further reading offering opportunity to extend their knowledge."
- Jenny Moody, Postgraduate Psychology Tutor, Dyslexia Action

"The clear structure and lack of jargon make the book accessible to a wide range of readers... I was especially impressed that anxiety disorders were included because these can have a debilitating effect on a student, and yet they are often missed out of books on special needs. The case studies are helpful and provide examples of how students can be affected, together with specific strategies that can be used to help them."
- Amanda Swannell

"It is a very handy, "go to" reference for students, teachers and parents about the nature of working memory difficulties and how these can manifest themselves within the areas of Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, DCD, ADHD, ASD and Anxiety disorders."
- Janet Oostendorp

"The book is a refreshing welcome addition to the field of special education, and promises to be a great success among educators."
- Naveen Kashyap, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology