The Working Memory collection by Ergotreatment is designed for children who hear the instructions… and then lose them halfway through. This curated set of OT activities, therapy games, and learning resources helps kids hold information in mind long enough to follow directions, complete tasks, and participate more confidently at home and school.

Created for parents, teachers, and pediatric occupational therapists, this collection includes printable resources, OT worksheets, OT printables, and digital activities that support working memory, attention and focus, and executive functioning across home, clinic, and school-based OT settings.

Working memory is a central part of child development and a core executive functioning skill. It’s the mental “workbench” that allows children to:

• remember multi-step directions (“first get your notebook, then your pencil, then sit at your desk”)
  
• keep track of where they are in a task or game
  
• copy from the board without losing their place
  
• solve problems in math, reading, and everyday life
  
• follow classroom routines and conversation rules
  

When working memory is weak, children may:

• forget what they were asked to do moments earlier
  
• lose track of multi-step tasks (homework, chores, classroom activities)
  
• struggle with reading and literacy activities that require remembering instructions
  
• appear “distracted” or “not listening” even when they are trying
  
• rely heavily on adults to repeat and simplify information
  

These difficulties are common in children with autism, ADHD, learning differences, or other special needs, and they often impact school performance, self-confidence, and family routines.

The resources in this collection are designed to strengthen working memory through play-based learning and structured occupational therapy activities. Children can practice how to:

• follow multi-step verbal and visual directions
  
• remember sequences (numbers, actions, words, movements)
  
• use visual supports, checklists, and cues to reduce overload
  
• combine attention and focus strategies with memory tasks
  
• gradually handle longer, more complex classroom activities and home routines
  

Inside the Working Memory collection, you’ll find:

• therapy games and board games that build memory, visual scanning activities, and flexible thinking
  
• learning resources and printable resources that break tasks into clear, manageable steps
  
• OT worksheets, OT printables, and print and go activities for busy therapists and families
  
• supports that combine working memory practice with executive functioning, emotional regulation, and self-regulation
  
• tools that fit easily into OT home exercises, home programs, and teletherapy activities
  

Many activities also target visual motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and visual perception, helping children remember what they see, not just what they hear. By pairing memory challenges with movement, games, and meaningful tasks, children are more engaged and more likely to generalize skills to real life.

From a pediatric occupational therapy perspective, supporting working memory is not just about “remembering better.” It is about giving children the strategies, scaffolds, and supports they need to manage information without feeling overwhelmed. When we combine targeted OT activities, clear OT goals, and consistent practice across home, clinic, and school, children can gradually build stronger working memory and more independent learning habits.

Use the Working Memory collection to build your own executive functioning toolkit for home, clinic, or classroom. Pair these OT resources, games, and worksheets with everyday routines — homework, chores, morning and bedtime, classroom tasks — so that children can practice holding information in mind, completing multi-step activities, and participating more fully and confidently in everyday life.