Mindfulness Training Improves Working Memory Capacity
Posted by Erica Warren on

What's Happening in the Classroom?

What is Working Memory?

How Does a Weak Working Memory Impact Learning?
Working memory difficulties affect:
- Reading comprehension
- Mental math
- Understanding social interactions
- Completing homework
- Planning and preparing for activities
- Solving multi-step directions
- Writing essays and reports
- Following a conversation
- Test preparation
- Turning in homework
- Following and participating in group discussions

What are Some Key Symptoms of Working Memory Difficulties?
- Troubles comprehending a story or directions
- Difficulties memorizing facts
- Problems making and keeping friends
- Difficulties self-initiating or starting homework
- Forgets needed materials at home and at school
- Fails to complete work
- Struggles with organizing ideas when writing
- Makes irrelevant comments and often tries to change the topic of discussion
- Difficulties maintaining focus
- Misplaces things like pencils, notebooks, and agendas
- Leaves assignments and test preparation to the last minute

So What Can We Do to Nurture a Mindful Classroom Environment?
- Practice mindfulness in your own life, so you can demonstrate this approach and set an example for your students.
- Define and discuss mindfulness with your students.
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If your students appear distracted, conduct a mindful activity to calm their senses. Ask the students to sit for 3 minutes with their eyes closed. They should notice their breath, release any thoughts and relax into their bodies. You can start at their feet and work up to their head, asking them to be aware of their body and allow it to fully relax. -
Before a test, offer a mindful activity to help your students release any anxiety. Have the students take deep breaths and ask them to visualize a peaceful place of their choosing. As they breathe in, have them imagine peace and knowledge filling their lungs. As the breathe out, have them imagine that all negative thoughts such as doubt or concern will leave their bodies. -
After a classroom or social conflict, ask the students to sit in a circle facing one another holding hands. Ask them to close their eyes and imagine that they are all one entity. As they breathe in, have them imagine that they are bringing positive energy, forgiveness, and loving kindness into the group. As they breathe out, have them release any negative thoughts that they may feel. You can make it specific to the situation. After the activity, ask for volunteers to share complements or appreciation they would like to offer to the group or an individual. Ask all the other students to listen mindfully.
Ready Made Materials:
Dr. Warren's Multisensory Brain Break Meditations offers a multisensory format to help elementary and middle school students learn mindful breath meditations and self-regulation approaches that calms the mind, activates both hemispheres of the brain, and gets the body in optimal shape for learning.
Dr. Warren’s Mindfulness Activity Cards were created based on the current research on working memory, and they can be used in classrooms or therapeutic sessions to help enhance working memory capacity and build community. In addition, they can be used to teach authentic dialogue and develop emotional intelligence. They are ideal for individual sessions, circle groups, and classroom discussions. To view all of the social emotional products on Good Sensory Learning, CLICK HERE.
Cheers, Dr. Erica Warren
Dr. Warren’s Mindfulness Activity Cards
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