What is Working memory load?

Working memory load is how much your brain has to juggle at once when you're trying to solve a problem or learn something new.

Imagine your brain is like a toy box. When you’re playing with just one or two toys, it’s easy, you can see them all and move them around without any trouble. But if you throw in ten different toys at the same time, your brain has to work harder to keep track of each one. That’s like having a working memory load.

Think about when you’re trying to remember a long list of things, like your mom says: “Don’t forget to bring your socks, shoes, lunch, and homework.” If you have to keep all those items in your head at once while walking to school, that’s a lot for your brain to handle. It's like having too many toys in the box, it becomes harder to focus on just one thing.

When you're learning something new, like adding numbers or spelling words, your brain is using its working memory. If there are too many things to remember at once, it feels like your brain is full and can't think clearly, that’s a high working memory load!