Support for Your Child's Learning

Welcome to our parent section! We are here to provide support and strategies for children who have difficulties in working memory and Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). Our aim is to offer valuable resources and information to help your child thrive in their learning journey.

Parents Navigating DLD

When you hear your child has DLD, it can be overwhelming. This video can be served as a broad reference guide for parents navigating DLD. Learn about what it means for your child, how to advocate within schools, and at-home strategies for all components of DLD.

Introduction to Working Memory Deficits in Developmental Language Disorders

Working memory (WM) is the ability to hold and manipulate information. After initial sensory input, we are able to hold and actively process a certain amount of information. By encoding (through repeated exposure, rehearsal strategies, and distributed practice), we can put this information into our long-term memory which can later be retrieved. Working memory (WM) plays a crucial role in learning, particularly for students with Developmental Language Disorders (DLD). These st

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Nov 28, 20254 min read

At-Home Strategies for Working Memory
Kid Sense. (n.d.). Working Memory. https://childdevelopment.com.au/areas-of-concern/working-memory/

Make Instructions Easier to Understand

Break tasks into simple steps and make sure the child understands the first steps before continuing
Use clear, specific language and show your child what to do if needed
Ask your child to repeat back instructions in their own words to check understanding
Give extra processing time to answer questions
Reduce background noise and distractions, especially during homework tasks
Get close, make eye contact, and stay on their level
Use visuals (checklists, pictures, gestures)

Build Consistent Routines

Create predictable routines, especially for homework sessions (e.g., picking one location to do homework at)
Use visual schedules as needed
Make a working memory toolkit they can use at home based on class material (e.g., high frequency words, times tables, literacy rules, number charts, etc)
Encourage multi-sensory learning such as singing, tracing, typing, writing, acting out (however they learn best and are creative)
Repeat activities and learning often so it 'sticks' in their memory

Teach Coping & Independence Strategies

Encourage your child to ask for help or repetition of instructions when needed
Let them draw, write, or take pictures of information and reminders
Pair them with a friend at school if possible for sharing instructions
Teach calming strategies and model these emotional regulation techniques (e.g., 5 deep breaths, pausing, self-care)
Remind them to slow down if they feel rushed or overwhelmed
Help them make connections to their emotions or past experiences to consolidate new information

At-Home Activities for Working Memory

Card Games- Uno

These tasks require the child to remember the rules of the game, what cards they have, and which have already been played.

Uno

Active Reading

Teach using highlighters, sticky notes, underlining, and graphic organizers to actively read (characters, setting, problem, etc). Ask questions and make comments about the book.

Reading 101

Games- Memory and match, Guess Who, Headbandz, Spot it.

Good for integrated visual/verbal working memory, reasoning, flexible thinking, processing speed, attention.

Headbandz

Simon Says & Instructional Games.

Give your child one, then two-step directions with increasing complexity. You could also create obstacle courses with directions.

Prompts

Reducing your & your child's stress:

Understanding theWorking Memory

Fatigue Cycle

Children with DLD may become cognitively fatigued quickly when trying to juggle multiple pieces of information at once. Anyone can experience cognitive fatigue from other various factors too, such as stress or lack of sleep (West, 2025). It can result in difficulty concentrating, taking longer time than necessary to complete mental tasks, and more frequent mistakes. You can manage this by taking short breaks and self check-ins during challenging tasks. Preventative measures can also be helpful for reducing cognitive fatigue such as ensuring adequate sleep, maintaining a consistent and achievable schedule, and regular exercise (West, 2025).

References
West, M. (2025). What to know about cognitive fatigue (L. Lawrenz, Ed.). https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/cognitive-fatigue