Why Students with Working Memory Challenges Need Structured Summer Learning
For many families, summer is a time to unwind and recharge—but for students with learning differences, particularly those with working memory challenges, it can also be a time when hard-won academic progress slips away. While all students benefit from summer review, those with working memory difficulties absolutely need consistent, structured academic work over the summer to maintain and build on their gains.
What Is Working Memory?
Working memory is the mental workspace where we temporarily hold and manipulate information. It’s what allows a child to remember the beginning of a sentence while reading to make sense of the end. It helps them keep track of multistep math problems, follow directions, and write coherent paragraphs. In short, working memory is essential for virtually every aspect of learning.
Students with working memory issues often:
Forget multi-step directions
Lose track of steps in math problems
Struggle to copy from the board
Have difficulty with reading comprehension and writing fluency
Need frequent repetition and prompting
This is not due to laziness or lack of motivation—it’s a cognitive processing difference that makes school significantly harder.
Why Summer Break Is Especially Risky
Over the summer, students without memory challenges might forget a few math facts or need a refresher in September. But for students with weak working memory, long breaks without structured practice can result in a major backslide—sometimes requiring months of re-teaching in the fall.
These students often take longer to internalize new information, and they need consistent review and application to keep it accessible. Without it, much of what they’ve learned can slip away entirely.
What Kind of Summer Work Is Best?
While any academic engagement is better than none, students with working memory challenges benefit most from a structured, individualized program that provides:
Repetition with variation: They need to revisit skills regularly in different formats so they can generalize them.
Cumulative review: Don’t just review the most recent material—spiral back to older concepts as well.
Multi-sensory instruction: Incorporate visuals, hands-on materials, and oral discussion to anchor learning.
Consistent routines: Structure helps reduce the mental load of figuring out what to do and how to do it.
Scaffolded support: Start with lots of guidance and gradually reduce it as the student gains confidence.
At Higdon Learning Solutions, we specialize in supporting students with learning challenges, including those related to working memory. Our summer programs are designed to reinforce core skills in reading, writing, and math while keeping cognitive load manageable and productive.
A Summer of Growth, Not Regression
The good news is that with the right support, summer can be a season of growth for students with working memory weaknesses. It’s a chance to slow down, close gaps, and build confidence—without the pressure of a full school day.
Parents often ask, “Can’t we just give them a break?” Of course, rest is important. But for students with working memory difficulties, the kindest, most supportive thing we can do is keep them connected to learning—in a way that is structured, compassionate, and tailored to their needs.
Ready to build a summer plan that works for your child?
Contact Higdon Learning Solutions to learn how we can help your student stay strong and confident all summer long.
