How to Teach Math for Children With Working Memory Problems

An estimated 10 percent of children have poor working memory that affects their learning.

Students suffering from poor working memory, or poor short-term memory, can have difficulty picking up mathematical concepts. Mathematics often involves putting together several pieces of information and solving a puzzle, like producing a graph or an answer to a series of equations. If children can't utilize all of their working memory, they might be unable to connect the dots and formulate a way to reach an answer. The solution is to teach with a variety of methods to reinforce concepts.

Instructions

1. Break down the problems into smaller pieces of information. For example, when faced with a word problem like "If John has 10 apples and Laura has three, how many apples does John have if he gives Laura two?," children with working memory problems will have difficulty reading and interpreting the entire problem. The essence of the problem is what is 10 minus 2, and children with poor working memory problems often have a hard time seeing the essence of the problem. Teaching children that the problem can be broken down into parts will help them remember the steps needed to find a solution.

2. Talk in simple, short sentences when teaching mathematical concepts. Don't use elaborate descriptions like "algebraic equation" or "trigonometric function" when often a simpler term like "sum" or "equation" will do.

3. Repeat the instruction more than you would do for children without working memory problems. How often you repeat the instruction will depend on the individual student, but plan on extra time to work through problems at least three or four times. That doesn't mean you have to repeat yourself. Use a variety of tools like mathematical models, graphs or manipulatives to teach the same concept. Mathematical models are a way to show math in "real life," like graphs, charts or diagrams. Manipulatives are hand-held items, like blocks or puzzle pieces, that are used to figure out the answer to math problems.

4. Use the rule of three--numerical, verbal and graphic--if possible. The rule of three ensures that your instruction reaches all students' strengths. For example, if you are teaching a student about bank account balances, describe the account with words, draw a graph of a bank balance and perform some additions with bank account balances. If you are teaching a student about algebra, write out the equation, describe what it is in words and then present a graph of the function.

References

• Science Daily: Children's Under-Achievement Could Be Down to Poor Working Memory; Feb. 29, 2008