Create a Coping Mechanism for your Child

PARENTING COLUMN

Everything doesn't always need to be remembered. You can teach your child the use of to-do lists, organisers and reminders. Such tools can free up a lot of space in the vital "workspace". This will further help your child to remember more important information

Working memory refers to the memory that a human requires in order to complete a task. The problems that arise upon suffering from working memory can affect your child in their academic as well as daily activities. This can further hamper their proper growth mentally. As a parent, you can help your child in developing certain strategies that can help them improve their working memory.

If you see your child struggling with executing various tasks, it may be an indication that they are suffering with problems in their working memory.

Find the limitation

You can figure out that your child has reached the limits of their working memory if they keep getting off track from the instructions that you provide. Once you notice the pattern, the when, and how your child loses track, you will notice a clearer picture of their capacity to hold information.

After figuring their limitations, you will be capable of giving them effective directions. You can incorporate dos and don'ts and tell your child to follow activities that involves multi-step directions.

Break it down

Your child's school assignments may require a lot of working memory, even though they might seem simple for you. Your child might end up in a mess of haphazard work if they try to take on everything at once. This might result in your child experiencing anxiety. Line up for them the micro tasks. Encourage them to execute one task at a time, as this will put less pressure on their working memory. Moreover, this will also help your child to develop less stressful and healthier, effective study habits. So, break down their assignments and homework into tiny chunks.

Outsource

Everything doesn't always need to be remembered. You can teach your child the use of to-do lists, organisers and reminders. Such tools can free up a lot of space in the vital "workspace". This will further help your child to remember more important information. However, it is to be noted that tools are only effective when they are actually used. Help your child in figuring out the right tool that works effectively for him. If they have the habit of considering things as something they will remember, but tend to later forget them, urge them to write it down.

Create Routines

Routines are important for working memory. Routines help in automating tasks, which limits the use of working memory. When your child has to make effort to remember what to do next, it takes up cognitive workspace. To create effective routines, make sure they are consistent. Also, make not that this process will demand a lot of patience as kids can face distraction from time to time. Encourage them, praise their efforts and offer them reminders from time to time. You can also incorporate various verbal and visual cues

Brain training methods like gaming

You can make use of computer games, apps and memory games along other measures to enhance working memory of your child. Although, the effectiveness of this strategy has not been proved, researchers have been studying the process for a long time.

Medication

Sometimes, apart from strategies, clinical support can be more effective. If the strategies, which you and your child develop doesn't turn out to be effective, make sure to approach a physician.

To sum it up, the most effective initiative is to help your child in creating healthy and effective coping mechanisms to make up for their working memory limitation. Establishing and following routines, using tools and supporting them while they develop these strategies, will help them create a proper coping foundation.

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