As a parent, you want your child to succeed in every area of life, and for many families, math plays a big role in academic confidence. But what if your child understands the material but still struggles to remember formulas, steps, or basic operations? The problem may not be with their math skills at all—it could be related to something deeper: working memory.
Working memory is a powerful cognitive skill that acts like a mental scratchpad, allowing us to hold and manipulate information temporarily. It's what helps your child remember the steps to solve a math equation or keep track of numbers in multi-step word problems. For children with learning differences, especially those with working memory challenges, math can feel like running a race with an ever-shifting finish line.
Understanding the Connection Between Working Memory and Math Success
Think of working memory as the brain’s "post-it note." When solving math problems, especially multi-step equations, students need to keep certain numbers and rules in mind, all while calculating and applying different operations. If working memory is weak, this process becomes far more challenging. Even students who excel in math concepts can struggle if they can't hold onto information long enough to use it.
For children with ADHD, dyslexia, or dyscalculia, these challenges can be even more pronounced. They might lose track of where they are in the problem, forget basic math facts, or feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of mental juggling required. This is why supporting and strengthening working memory is critical to their math success.
But here’s the good news: just like any other skill, working memory can be improved with the right exercises. Let’s explore five fun and practical activities you can use at home to help boost your child’s working memory—and in turn, their math skills.
5 Engaging Exercises to Boost Working Memory and Math Success
1. The Backward Counting Game
Backward counting strengthens working memory by forcing the brain to hold multiple pieces of information and mentally shift them. Start by asking your child to count backward from 50 by twos, then by threes, and so on. As they become more comfortable, increase the difficulty by adding distractions or requiring them to alternate between different intervals.
Why It Works: This exercise helps children juggle numbers in their mind while maintaining focus, a skill that's crucial when solving math problems that involve multiple steps.
2. Math Story Recall
Create a short story that includes a series of math problems. For example, "Sarah had 5 apples and gave 2 to her friend. Then she bought 7 more apples. How many apples does she have now?" Ask your child to listen carefully to the story and solve the problem in their head before repeating the solution back to you.
Why It Works: This exercise not only strengthens working memory but also builds comprehension and the ability to hold onto information while performing mental math—an essential skill for word problems.
3. Number Visualization
Visualization is a powerful tool in cognitive development. Ask your child to close their eyes and visualize a set of numbers. Start with simple ones like 3, 7, and 9, then gradually add more. After they visualize the numbers, ask them to add, subtract, or multiply those numbers in their head before giving the answer.
Why It Works: By creating a mental image of numbers, your child strengthens their ability to hold information visually and mentally manipulate it—skills that are key in math.
4. Multi-Step Instructions
We often underestimate how much working memory is required to follow multi-step directions. To practice, give your child a list of tasks that involve math-related instructions. For example, "Go to the kitchen, grab two forks, come back, and then multiply 8 by 7." This adds a layer of complexity by combining everyday actions with math tasks.
Why It Works: Combining physical activity with cognitive processing challenges the brain to hold onto and recall multiple pieces of information, which mirrors the demands of solving math equations.
5. The Memory Matrix Game
Create a grid of numbers and shapes on a piece of paper. Show it to your child for 10 seconds, then hide it. Ask them to recall the numbers and shapes, or even solve a simple math problem related to the numbers they saw. You can make this game progressively more challenging by increasing the number of items in the grid.
Why It Works: This game boosts both visual and working memory, helping your child improve their recall ability, which is essential when solving math problems involving multiple components.
Why Working Memory is Critical for Cognitive Development in Math
It’s easy to overlook the cognitive side of math struggles, but working memory plays an integral role in mathematical thinking and problem-solving. Whether it’s remembering key facts, solving multi-step equations, or holding numbers in mind while applying operations, working memory is at the heart of math success.
By focusing on exercises that strengthen this mental skill, you're not only setting your child up for immediate math improvements but also supporting their overall cognitive development. This foundation is crucial not only for academic success but also for everyday tasks requiring focus, planning, and problem-solving.
The EASY Minds Approach
Recent studies have shown promising results with programs like EASY Minds, which focus on enhancing working memory and selective attention in students with math learning disabilities. This holistic approach demonstrates that targeted interventions can significantly improve mathematical performance.
The Ripple Effect: Beyond Math
Interestingly, strengthening working memory doesn't just benefit math skills. Research indicates a co-development among reading, math, science, and verbal working memory in elementary students. By focusing on working memory exercises, you're potentially boosting your child's performance across multiple subjects.
Early Intervention: The Key to Success
Starting these exercises early can have a profound impact. Studies have shown relationships between visuospatial working memory, math skills, and even motor competence in first-grade children. By incorporating memory exercises into your child's routine from an early age, you're setting them up for long-term academic success.
Final Thoughts: Setting Your Child Up for Math Success
Strengthening working memory isn't just about improving math performance—it's about building confidence. When children can hold onto and manipulate information more effectively, math becomes less daunting and more achievable.
As parents, you can take an active role in this process by incorporating fun and practical memory exercises into your child’s routine.
At MindBridge Math Mastery, we specialize in helping students unlock their full potential by addressing cognitive challenges like working memory issues. Our tailored, one-on-one sessions are designed to meet your child’s unique needs, giving them the tools to not only succeed in math but excel beyond the classroom.
Ready to see your child’s math success soar? Book a FREE consultation with us today and discover how we can help strengthen their working memory and math skills in a supportive and engaging environment.
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