Learning skills · Ages 4–12

Working memory games: what they are and what they can't do

6 min readUpdated October 3, 2026

Key takeaways

✓Working memory is the ability to hold and use information for a short time, like remembering instructions.
✓It grows steadily through childhood, and varies a lot between children.
✓Research suggests training games mostly improve the trained task, with little evidence of broad gains.
✓Everyday supports (short instructions, checklists) help more than drills.

What working memory does

Working memory is like a mental notepad. Children use it to follow multi-step instructions, do mental maths, keep track of a story or remember what they were about to say. It is one of a group of skills often called executive functions, along with self-control and flexible thinking.

Playful ways to use it

Game	How it works	Ages
Simon says, extended	Two- then three-step instructions	4–8
I went to market	Each person repeats the list and adds one item	5–12
Copy the pattern	Tap a sequence on objects; they copy it	4–10
Backwards spelling	Spell short words backwards	8–12
Card memory	Classic matching pairs game	4–12

What research says about 'brain training'

Several large reviews of working-memory training have found that children usually get better at the specific game they practise, but these gains rarely carry over to broader skills like reading, maths or general reasoning. Play these games because they're fun, not as a cure-all.

Everyday support that helps

Give one or two instructions at a time
Use picture checklists for routines
Ask your child to repeat instructions back
Break bigger tasks into small steps

If you're concerned that your child struggles much more than peers to follow instructions or remember information, talk to their teacher or doctor.

Questions parents ask

Can working memory be improved?

It naturally develops with age. Supportive habits and rich activities help children use it well; evidence for big gains from training programmes alone is limited.

Is a strong memory a sign of giftedness?

It's one of many traits sometimes seen in very able children, but on its own it tells you little. Look at the bigger picture.

See what your child is drawn to

Small weekly activities and fun games that show what lights them up. No tests, no scores.

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Keep reading

Further reading: Harvard Center on the Developing Child

General information for parents, not medical, psychological or educational advice. If you have concerns about your child's health, development or learning, talk to a qualified professional.