How To Improve Working Memory

Working memory is the retention of information in your mind, temporarily for a short time.

From the ability to solve problems and performing at exams as a student to remembering shopping lists and where you've parked your car as an adult, good working memory is important in your daily life.

In this article, we explore the 2 fundamental techniques on how you or a tutor can help a child improve his/ her working memory.

PURPOSEFUL PRACTICE

Challenge yourself by setting goals that are out of your comfort zone. Clear, challenging but yet attainable goals give a sense of autonomy and direction, which in turn lead to motivation.

With a clear purpose, develop a step by step plan to reach the goal. This helps you to stay focused and on track. Other than that, it reassures you in believing that you can.

Students often lack motivation to complete tasks as they do not see a reason for doing so nor do they believe they are capable of achieving it.

This is why it is important for educators to guide students in setting effective goals which they believe they can achieve.

DELIBERATE PRACTICE

The purpose of deliberate practice is to obtain effective mental representations. Practicing is good, but it is vital to ensure this is done with full focus, and not simply mindless repeated actions.

At our tuition center, our tutors will access the progress of the student to guide him/ her through a deliberate practice, providing tasks to practice problem-solving with a different method or different perspective. Our students will then learn from the mistakes made.

Our tutors will then provide similar practices in different scenarios to reinforce correct concepts. With sufficient practice, the student will soon be able to identify errors and self correct.

This type of practice will allow students to harness details of various scenarios and lead to an improved mental representation of the various problem-solving methods.

Our tuition center aims to teach our students skills; this is more useful than knowledge. It is what you are able to do, not what you know, that sets you apart.