Working Memory IEP goals
Does your child struggle with Working Memory issues, and you want them added to the IEP? Have you heard parents talk about working memory skills, but you’re not sure what they are?
Ok, remember these?

I’m dating myself a bit, I know. But these are a great example of how we exercised our working memory. If you wanted to make a call, you looked up the number. You quickly memorized it while you walked to the telephone (which was attached to the wall!).
When you got to the phone, you dialed the number, recalling it using your working memory.
Has it ever been raining when you went to work…but not on the way home? And then you forgot to bring your umbrella home, right?
Because your working memory did not remind you! If the rain was not present to remind you to grab an umbrella, you forgot.

Functions of Working Memory:
Working memory is considered one of our Executive Functions. Here are some examples of how working memory can affect you at school or at home.
- help you solve math problems
- make and achieve time management goals
- allow you to complete a longer reading passage and remember the beginning, and it’s relevance to the rest of the story/book
- ability to look in your fridge or pantry and remember what you need to buy at the grocery store
- ability to remember to bring home important things (like homework, shoes, coats)
We all do this all the time! In the morning it’s cool, so we wear a jacket or sweater. In the afternoon, it’s warm, so we forget to bring home that jacket or sweater.
Throw in a few sensory issues, and it makes perfect sense why your kid came home only wearing one shoe. It happens!
Lack of a strong working memory can often be mistaken for cognitive and academic deficits, so interventions are definitely warranted. Working memory involves the ability to keep information active in your mind for a short time (2-3 seconds) to be able to use it for further processing.
Working memory is our temporary storage system and helps us with our day-to-day tasks (e.g. following instructions, responding in conversations, listening and reading comprehension, organization).
Can your child follow directions that are 2-3 steps? If not, they likely lack working memory skills.
Again, this is one of those invisible skills, or at least it is invisible if it’s present. If a person is lacking good working memory skills, then it’s very visible and often treated punitively rather than being supported.
How many times do you see an adult with a phone number or short phrase written on their hand? That is their own accommodation for working memory!
Cog-Med has some excellent charts and graphics that show working memory skills. Take a look.
Working Memory Skills for Kids
Choose the skill that your child is lacking, or what they are exhibiting that may be due to a lack of a skill set. Then, plug that skill into the IEP goal formula.

Working Memory Skills-Adult Examples

Working Memory IEP Goals
Goals should be developed using the student’s baselines defined in IEP Present Levels. From there, I would take the area of need and using the baseline and the IEP goal formula, make it measurable (flow chart below).
- The student will accurately repeat verbal instructions with 80% accuracy before beginning assignment as evidenced by teacher/staff observation and data.
- The student will accurately follow classroom procedures for turning in assignments with 80% accuracy 4 out of 5 consecutive days.
- The student will use mnemonics to aid in memorization of content material 4 out of 5 times as measured by teacher observations and data.
- The student will use graphic organizers to record or recall content knowledge 8 out of 10 times as evidenced by teacher feedback.
- The student will use an app or designated system to record questions that cannot be answered immediately.

Printable List of Working Memory Interventions
I found this online and while it overlaps a lot of the EF skills, it’s a good resource.
Working-Memory-interventions-and-accommodationsWorking Memory Skills-Fluctuations
Many students lack working memory skills, or our skills fluctuate depending on age and stage of life. When we are stressed, we forget things. When we’re sick, unhealthy, distracted, the importance of the item…all of these things can affect working memory.
I can remember exactly what brands and varieties of foods Kevin will eat and which restaurants have items for him.
But I cannot buy my husband a 6-pack of beer that he likes and I continually buy him the wrong packs of sushi at Wegman’s. One item is just more important for me to remember.
If you’re aware of your issues, most adults compensate and find their own accommodations, such as creating a shopping list before you go to the grocery store.
But if you have other learning disabilities or problem-solving is not your strong suit, the student may need accommodations and practice. Your working memory can improve with practice.
Working Memory IEP Accommodations
Here is a great chart I found from LD Canada.
Working-Memory-IEP-GoalsIn addition to IEP goals and SDIs that address working memory, you want it to be fun. There are many categories of board games and puzzles that will exercise your working memory.
A final note: I have seen so many kids who are punished for forgetting homework. Punished for forgetting to bring something to school or home. Yes, to function in society, it’s important to learn working memory skills or have our own set of supports.
I cannot stress enough to work with the child, get their input and ideas and suggestions. I have seen too many kids just get downtrodden and deflated, because they are punished or grounded, over and over for something they are having trouble learning.
Most kids want to improve these skills and are not just being defiant by not bringing in homework.
Stick with your child and get your team on board with supports and activities that help your child learn these skills….not just continually being punished for not having them.
Good luck!
Working Memory Games for Kids
- DEVELOPMENTAL AND EDUCATIONAL: Sharpens recognition, concentration and memory skills.
- 24 pairs to match. Each tile is 2.25 x 2.25 inches.
- For ages 3 and up. Can be played alone or with up to 4 players.
- SCREEN-FREE FUN: For over 25 years, eeBoo has created wholesome, educational games and activities that cultivate conversation, socialization, and skill-building while introducing our world.
- SUSTAINABLY SOURCED: 90% recycled materials, printed with vegetable-based inks.
- CLASSIC SIMON GAMEPLAY: Watch, remember, and repeat. The electronic handheld Simon game presents an exciting challenge to repeat the patterns and advance to higher levels
- REPEAT THE PATTERNS: It's the exciting electronic game of lights and sounds. Players repeat random sequences of flashing lights by pressing the colored pads in the correct order
- WHAT'S INSIDE: An electronic memory toy (3 LR44 batteries inside), you may get either the red or yellow pack with the same toy inside
- HOW TO PLAY: 1) Pull out the white strip at the back to activate 2)Press the Start button to start the game 3) Observe the order in which the coloured buttons flash on the Memorytoi 4) Press the coloured buttons in the same order as they were played 5) The buzzer will go off if the sequence is incorrect or if time has run out 6) The number of colours in a sequence keeps increasing in every round - see how many levels you can reach
- ENGAGE KIDS INDOORS: Whether you're trying to keep kids indoor or taking a trip, this is a great way to keep your kids engaged and away from screens
- WHY GIFT THIS: Boys or girls, this one is a great hit with kids and most importantly, you get to pass on a life skill of persistence!
- Fun shopping game for 2 - 4 players
- Orchard Toys number one bestseller
- Add on packs available to increase play value
- Encourages matching and memory skills
- Suitable for ages 3 - 7
- 🏆 WINNER, PARENTS' CHOICE AWARDS | Featured by Harvard University for strengthening relationships and boosting learning by improving listening skills, confidence, emotional intelligence, self control and cooperation with siblings, friends, peers, and adults. Used by parents, educators, counselors, and therapists in 50+ countries.
- 🤩 EASY & FUN GAME THAT SPARKS IMPORTANT DISCUSSIONS | Youth tested and approved as "The Anytime and Anywhere Quality Time Game" for busy lives. Portable in a sturdy tin box for car ride, in between activities, vacation, dinner routine, or camping. Easy directions on how to play at home, therapy sessions, or school settings.
- 🎓 RECOMMENDED BY TEACHERS & PEDIATRICIANS | Align with classroom curriculum Standards in Social Emotional Learning from Self Awareness to Responsible Decision Making. Tool organized by competency and difficulty level from playful exercises for children to critical thinking & journaling for teens.
- 🎁 HELPFUL GUIDE & SUPPORT: This is NOT your average conversation starter! | Comes with Podcast lessons and Online Assessments to help you understand where you and your child are and what to work on. Cards are designed to be used over and over again to help you progress.
- 🥰 100+ ENGAGING PROMPTS & INCLUSIVE ACTIVITIES | Clever cards to help reluctant children open up about their thoughts, feelings, problems. Topics encourage real world application: friendship, patience, respect, gratitude, handling conflict, perspective taking, honesty, asking for help, stress and anger management, empathy, goal setting.
When you purchase items from Amazon from this site, I receive a small percentage at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting A Day in our Shoes.