Mindful Monday: What the Working Memory Research Actually Says
(and Why It Matters for Your Child)
You don’t need a PhD to understand how your child’s brain works.
But you both deserve more than “I saw this on TikTok.”
Or even “I saw this on Tara’s Substack.”
Each Monday, I try to bring you real information —made simple. But I want to make sure I take a break from those posts and share the research behind what I share and the strategies that are given out on Tuesdays and Fridays!
My goal is that these research posts are not just summaries, but translations: what science says, what it means for your child, and how it can support your parenting decisions with confidence.
Today, we’re digging into two powerful studies about working memory—that mental “waiting room” we’ve been discussing the past few weeks. The one that holds and juggles information long enough to use it.
These studies aren’t buried in theory—they’re full of real, hopeful takeaways that show just how possible it is to build these skills in everyday life.
Let’s dive in.
Study #1: Working Memory Training Boosts Academic Skills
This study looked at something really practical: can kids actually improve their memory in a way that helps them succeed in school?
In the study, children worked 1:1 with an adult on memory games designed to stretch and strengthen the brain’s capacity to hold and manipulate information. The very definition of our working memory’s job!
The games included tasks like repeating numbers backwards, organizing sequences, and visual-spatial recall. These activities were run 3 times a week for 6 weeks, and adjusted to each child's level.
The researchers weren’t just testing memory for the sake of memory. They wanted to know if improving working memory could help with math skills—specifically, error rates in addition problems.
What Happened?
Children who did the memory training made fewer math errors than those who didn’t.
Their improvement wasn’t just in the activities they practiced. They showed gains on other memory tasks, too—meaning their skills carried over into new areas. This is what we want - we want to exercise executive functioning skills that help multiple areas of learning and the brain!
Because the training emphasized personal strategies and growth at each child’s level, the results were meaningful and individualized.
Why It Matters:
Many parents worry when their child struggles to keep numbers straight in their head, or mix up steps in multi-step math. But this study shows something incredibly hopeful:
Memory can be trained.
It isn’t a lost cause!
And when it is trained, academic performance improves.
And we’re not talking about drilling flashcards for hours.
We’re talking about short, engaging activities that build confidence and skills—without the pressure.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Is there anything I can do to help them keep things straight?”—this research says: Yes. Absolutely.
Study #2: Strategy-Based Memory Training = Better Problem Solving
“Far-Transfer Effects of Strategy-Based Working Memory Training” – Chan, Mueller & Masson, 2019
This second study is exciting because it asks a different question:
What if, instead of just training memory itself, we teach kids the strategies that make memory work better?
In this study, researchers taught children memory strategies like:
Repeating information out loud
Visualizing items in a scene
Grouping or chunking words by category
And here’s the super cool part of this study:
They didn’t spend weeks in training.
They had one session of about 10 minutes per strategy. Then, the researchers tested the kids on a totally different kind of task—a problem-solving activity that involved organizing and planning.
What Happened?
The children who had learned the strategies significantly outperformed the control group.
The strategies didn’t just help with memorizing—they helped with thinking.
Even though the final task was different, kids applied what they learned and adapted it to something new. That’s called far transfer—and it’s a big deal. Many working memory research studies are looking for far transfer specifically and when we can achieve it? That is a huge win!
Why It Matters:
It’s not just about how much your child remembers.
It’s about whether they know how to remember.
This study reminds us that when we give kids real tools—like mental rehearsal, visualization, and chunking—we’re not just helping them with today’s homework.
We’re giving them flexible thinking skills that will help them for years to come.
Even better? These strategies are developmentally appropriate. That means you don’t need advanced tech or complicated programs. You just need the right tools at the right time.
I’m a low-tech Speech-Language Pathologist and mama - so being able to do this tangibly without relying on tech is always a huge win in my book!
So What Does This Mean for You?
You don’t need to overhaul your schedule.
You don’t need a subscription to an expensive app.
You just need:
✅ A solid understanding of how your child’s memory works
✅ Simple, research-based activities that fit into real life
Understanding is what we’re building on Mondays —one post at a time.
When you understand what’s happening in the brain, you can start making small shifts that lead to lasting growth.
And that’s why I’m so excited to be on this journey with you.
Because it’s not just about executive functioning.
It’s about raising humans who can think, problem-solve, adapt, and thrive.
Coming Tomorrow: Leveling Up Our Recall
Tomorrow, in our Working Memory Bootcamp, we’ll be putting these concepts into action with a task we’ve already been doing, but with new exercises that are sure to work your kid’s brain and yours!
Think of it as brain gym—but fun.
Short, playful, games with clear instructions, visual supports, and built-in ways to track growth.
Perfect for summer.
Perfect for connection.
Perfect for strengthening your child’s cognitive foundations.
📩 Paid subscribers will get tomorrow’s printable in their inbox—with step-by-step instructions and a short video walkthrough from me.
And if you’re not a paid subscriber yet? You’re always welcome to join us.
You’re showing up for your child’s brain.
You’re learning, growing, and making space for new skills in their safest environment.
Home.
And that matters more than you know.
Thanks for being here with me.
We’re just getting started.
With warmth and gratitude,
Tara Roehl, MS, CCC-SLP 💛