Description

Want practical ways to support skills like working memory, flexibility, and follow-through? Download the free Social Skills and Executive Functioning Guide to get started.

If you've noticed your child starting tasks but never finishing them, forgetting multi-step directions, or struggling to remember what they just read, you may be seeing the effects of a working memory challenge.

In this episode of The OT Is IN, Sarah talks with Sandra Zamalis from LearningRx about what working memory is, why it matters for learning, and how it can show up during everyday homeschool tasks. Using examples like losing track of multi-step math problems or forgetting information while reading, they explore why some children need more support to hold and use information.

Sandra also explains the difference between accommodations that help children manage working memory demands and LearningRx's approach to targeted cognitive training. Plus, Sandra puts Sarah's working memory to the test with an activity listeners can try along with them!

In This Episode You'll Hear About

• How to recognize signs of working memory struggles in everyday homeschool life
• How working memory can affect reading, math, following directions, and completing tasks
• Why forgetfulness, unfinished tasks, and disorganization may be connected to working memory
• The difference between accommodations and approaches designed to build cognitive skills
• The difference between visual and auditory working memory
• How processing speed and automaticity relate to working memory
• A working memory activity you can try while you listen
• Why trust and emotional safety matter when children are practicing difficult skills
• What parents can consider when evaluating cognitive training programs
• How supporting working memory is about helping children reach their goals, not "fixing" them

Links and Resources From Today's Show

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Connect with Sarah Collins on IG
• The Homeschool OT Teachers Pay Teachers
• Connect With Sandy On Instagram
• Connect With Sandy On Tik Tok
• The Brainy Moms Podcast
• Check Out Our Title Sponsor CTC Math
• CTC Math Free Trial

Related Episodes of the OT is IN

• Executive Function, Regulation, and Getting Started In Your Homeschool
• What Are Executive Functioning Skills?
• Field Trips Can Build Executive Functioning
• Episode 2: Decoding Behavior in homeschooling- sensory overwhelm, emotional control, perseverance
• Episode 43: Collaborative Problem-Solving in Education and Parenting
• Episode 60: Tackling Childhood Anxiety: How Occupational Therapy Can Help
• Episode 66: The Power of Declarative Language in Supporting Kids
• Episode 71: Raising Resilient Learners: When and How to Talk About Diagnoses with Your Kids

Thank You to Our Sponsor, CTC Math

Math can place significant demands on working memory, especially when children are trying to remember multiple steps while also solving a problem. One benefit of homeschooling is that we can adjust the pace and reduce some of that cognitive load when needed.

That's one reason I appreciate CTC Math. Children can work through lessons at their own pace, revisit instruction when they need it, and practice skills before moving on to something more complex.

Thank you to CTC Math for sponsoring this episode of The OT Is IN.  You can check out their FREE trial here.

Connect With Our Guest, Sandy Zamalis

Sandy Zamalis is the Executive Director and owner of LearningRx Staunton-Harrisonburg, where her passion is helping struggling learners of all ages discover confidence and success. A former homeschooling mom, Sandy found her calling in cognitive training after witnessing the frustrations of students falling through the cracks. Today, she leads two thriving centers, empowering children and adults alike to overcome learning struggles and build the strong cognitive foundation everyone deserves.