Training working memory with quick games
Why do you sometimes forget what you were saying halfway through a sentence?
You’re explaining something and, suddenly, the idea disappears from your mind. Or someone gives you a phone number and, before you can write it down, you’ve already forgotten it. This happens because working memory, which is responsible for retaining information in the short term, has a limited capacity.
The good news is that it can be trained, and a fun way to do so is with quick games you can practice at any time.
Working memory: the brain’s editing table
Imagine that your working memory is a video editing table. On it you can place several scenes to edit before saving or discarding them. But if you try to place too many scenes at once, the table gets overloaded and you can’t process them all.
Working memory works the same way: it keeps information active for a few seconds, but if you don’t use it or store it, it disappears.
Quick games to train working memory
Playing is an excellent way to improve working memory because it forces the brain to retain and manipulate information in real time. Here are some games you can play in 2-3 minutes to strengthen it:
1. The number echo game (no materials needed)
- One player says a sequence of numbers (for example, “4-7-2”).
- The other player must repeat them and add one more number at the end (“4-7-2-5”).
- You keep going, adding numbers, until someone makes a mistake.
- Helps train the ability to retain and manipulate information.
2. Dobble (quick board game)
- Cards with different symbols are dealt.
- Players must find the symbol shared between two cards.
- Requires speed and visual memory to remember the patterns.
3. Express memory (no materials or with cards)
- Several words or images are placed on the table for 10 seconds.
- Then they are covered, and players must recall as many as possible.
- Trains visual memory and retrieval speed.
4. The word traffic light (no materials needed)
- Someone says three words in a row (example: “sun, mountain, book”).
- The other player must repeat them in reverse order (“book, mountain, sun”).
- Requires holding on to information and manipulating it before saying it.
Why do these games work?
Games like these force working memory to retain information and use it quickly, strengthening the prefrontal cortex and improving concentration. They can also be played at any time, such as active breaks between classes to boost performance effortlessly.
Conclusion: play to strengthen the mind
Working memory is key to learning better, concentrating, and remembering important information. Incorporating quick games into your routine can help you improve it in a fun and pressure-free way.
Which of these games would you try today to challenge your working memory?
Sources
- Baddeley, A. (2012). Working Memory: Theories, Models, and Controversies.
- Cowan, N. (2017). The Magical Mystery Four: How is Working Memory Capacity Limited?