|
Age |
Working memory is crucial for… |
Indicators that a working memory needs exercise |
Pre school
|
- Learning the alphabet
- Focusing on short instructions such as “Come brush your teeth”
- Remaining seated to complete independent activities, such as puzzles
|
- Seems unwilling or unable to learn alphabet, numbers
- Can’t focus long enough to grasp and follow instructions
- Flits from one thing to another
|
Elementary school
|
- Reading and understanding the content (reading comprehension)
- Mental arithmetic
- Interacting and responding appropriately in peer activities such as playing on the school ground
|
- Reads (decodes) but does not understand or remember material read
- Problems memorizing math facts
- Difficulty participating in group activities (e.g. awaiting turn); makes friends but cannot keep them
|
Middle school
|
- Doing homework independently
- Planning and packing for an activity, such as dance class
- Solving multi-step math problems, especially word problems
- Participating in team sports, such as soccer
|
- Does not begin or persist with homework without supervision
- Packs but forgets items essential for activity
- Reads the problem but can’t break it into understandable parts
- Problems grasping rules of game, functioning as a “team player”
|
High school
|
- Getting a driver’s license
- Understanding social cues, responding to demands of a social situation
- Writing essays, reports
|
- Problems with spatial awareness, reading and following traffic cues
- Interrupts, talks excessively, doesn’t listen to others
- Essays and reports are short, sloppy, and disorganized
|
College
|
- Focusing and following a conversation
- Making and adhering to work plans, such as studying for an exam
- Participating in group activities in school
- Sustaining focus and interest throughout lectures
|
- Changes topics suddenly, makes irrelevant comments
- Procrastinates, then tries to “cram” the night before an exam
- Doesn’t listen or participate during group activities
- Falls asleep or “zones out” during lectures
|
Adults
|
- Getting to work on time
- Meeting deadlines at work
- Prioritizing multiple activities
- Handling conflicts within the family
|
- Frequently late to work
- Often underestimates time required for a task
- Has problems breaking a project into manageable steps
- Often loses temper with children and spouse
|
Seniors
|
-
For seniors that are working all the adult items are relevant
-
Being able to perform what you are planning to do
-
Organizing your materials and activities
-
Managing important financial transactions |
- Forgetfulness
- Distractability
- Losing track of the topic in a conversation
- Mislaying things like glasses, mobile phone, keys etc
|
